Modulation of gys1 expression

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are methods, compounds, and compositions for reducing expression of GYS1 in an individual. Such methods, compounds, and compositions are useful to treat, prevent, delay, or ameliorate a glycogen storage disease or disorder in an individual in need.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The present application is being filed along with a Sequence Listing inelectronic format. The Sequence Listing is provided as a file entitledBIOL0294WOSEQ_ST25.txt, created on Jun. 12, 2017 which is 108 KB insize. The information in the electronic format of the sequence listingis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Provided herein are methods, compounds, and compositions useful forreducing expression of glycogen synthase 1 (hereinafter referred to asGYS1) in an animal. Also, provided herein are methods, compounds, andcompositions comprising GYS1 inhibitors, which can be useful in reducingGYS1-related diseases or conditions in an animal. Such methods,compounds, and compositions can be useful, for example, to treat,prevent, delay or ameliorate a glycogen storage disease or apolyglucosan disorder in an animal.

BACKGROUND

Glycogen is a branched polymer of glucose that constitutes the solecarbohydrate reserve for mammals. It is synthesized by glycogen synthase(GYS), the only mammalian enzyme able to polymerize glucose (Bollen M.et al. Biochem. J. 1998 336: 19-31). Glycogen biosynthesis involveschain elongation by glycogen synthase and chain branching by glycogenbranching enzyme. If chain elongation outbalances chain branching,glycogen forms starch-like precipitates made up of long, non-branchedchains called polyglucosans. The most glycogenic tissues are muscle andliver.

Glycogen synthase 1 (GYS1) is an enzyme involved in converting glucoseto glycogen by catalyzing the elongation of short glucose polymers intolong glycogen polymers. Mutations in GYS1 are associated with glycogenstorage diseases. In the brain, glycogen is normally stored inastrocytes (brown A. M. J. Neurochem. 89: 537-552, 2004) and glycogensynthesis is normally absent in neurons because of tight regulation ofGYS1 by laforin and malin (Vilchez et al., Nat. Neurosci. 10: 1407-1413,2007). Nevertheless, aberrant glycogen accumulation in neurons is ahallmark of patients suffering from Lafora disease, Pompe disease,Andersen's disease, adult polyglucosan disease, or other polyglucosandisorders.

Currently, there is a lack of acceptable options for treating glycogenstorage diseases. There is also a lack of specific inhibitors forglycogen synthase. It is therefore an object herein to provide methodsfor the treatment of such diseases.

SUMMARY

Provided herein are compositions, compounds and methods for modulatingexpression of GYS1-associated diseases such as glycogen storage diseaseand polyglucosan disorders, including Lafora disease, adult polyglucosanbody disease, Andersen's disease, and Pompe disease. In certainembodiments, these compositions, compounds and methods are formodulating the expression of GYS1. In certain embodiments, the GYS1modulator is a GYS1-specific inhibitor. In certain embodiments, theGYS1-specific inhibitor decreases expression or activity of GYS1. Incertain embodiments, GYS1-specific inhibitors include nucleic acids,proteins and small molecules. In certain embodiments, the GYS1-specificinhibitor is a nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, GYS1-specificinhibitor comprises a modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments,the modified oligonucleotide can be single stranded or double stranded.

Certain embodiments are directed to novel GYS1 inhibitors useful forinhibiting GYS1, which can be useful for preventing, inhibiting, orslowing the progression of accumulation of glycogen in tissues. Certainembodiments are directed to GYS1 inhibitors useful for treating,ameliorating, or slowing progression of polyglucosan disorders,including, but not limited to, Lafora disease, adult polyglucosan bodydisease, and Pompe disease. Certain embodiments relate to the novelfindings of antisense inhibition of GYS1 resulting in reduction ofglycogen synthesis, glycogen aggregation, reduction of Lafora bodiesaccumulation, reduction of polyglucosan bodies, glycogen levelnormalization, reduction or cessation of seizures, improvement orprevention of cognivitive deterioration, reduction of neuromuscularweakness, and reduction or cessation of epileptic episodes. Certainembodiments are directed to GYS1 inhibitors useful in improving glycogenlevels. Certain embodiments are directed to GYS1 inhibitors useful inreducing incidence of seizures or epileptic episodes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the embodiments, as claimed. Herein, the useof the singular includes the plural unless specifically statedotherwise. As used herein, the use of “or” means “and/or” unless statedotherwise. Furthermore, the use of the term “including” as well as otherforms, such as “includes” and “included”, is not limiting.

The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes onlyand are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.All documents, or portions of documents, cited in this application,including, but not limited to, patents, patent applications, articles,books, treatises, and GenBank and NCBI reference sequence records arehereby expressly incorporated by reference for the portions of thedocument discussed herein, as well as in their entirety.

It is understood that the sequence set forth in each SEQ ID NO in theexamples contained herein is independent of any modification to a sugarmoiety, an internucleoside linkage, or a nucleobase. As such, compoundsdefined by a SEQ ID NO may comprise, independently, one or moremodifications to a sugar moiety, an internucleoside linkage, or anucleobase. Compounds described by ISIS number (ISIS #) indicate acombination of nucleobase sequence, chemical modification, and motif.

Unless otherwise indicated, the following terms have the followingmeanings:

“2′-deoxynucleoside” means a nucleoside comprising 2′-H(H) furanosylsugar moiety, as found in naturally occurring deoxyribonucleic acids(DNA). In certain embodiments, a 2′-deoxynucleoside may comprise amodified nucleobase or may comprise an RNA nucleobase (uracil).

“2′-O-methoxyethyl” (also 2′-MOE and 2′-O(CH₂)₂—OCH₃) refers to anO-methoxy-ethyl modification at the 2′ position of a furanosyl ring. A2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar is a modified sugar.

“2′-MOE nucleoside” (also 2′-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside) means anucleoside comprising a 2′-MOE modified sugar moiety.

“2′-substituted nucleoside” or “2-modified nucleoside” means anucleoside comprising a 2′-substituted or 2′-modified sugar moiety. Asused herein, “2′-substituted” or “2-modified” in reference to a sugarmoiety means a sugar moiety comprising at least one 2′-substituent groupother than H or OH.

“3′ target site” refers to the nucleotide of a target nucleic acid whichis complementary to the 3′-most nucleotide of a particular compound.

“5′ target site” refers to the nucleotide of a target nucleic acid whichis complementary to the 5′-most nucleotide of a particular compound.

“5-methylcytosine” means a cytosine with a methyl group attached to the5 position.

“About” means within ±10% of a value. For example, if it is stated, “thecompounds affected about 70% inhibition of a GYS1”, it is implied thatGYS1 levels are inhibited within a range of 60% and 80%.

“Administration” or “administering” refers to routes of introducing acompound or composition provided herein to an individual to perform itsintended function. An example of a route of administration that can beused includes, but is not limited to parenteral administration, such assubcutaneous, intravenous, or intramuscular injection or infusion.

“Administered concomitantly” or “co-administration” means administrationof two or more compounds in any manner in which the pharmacologicaleffects of both are manifest in the patient. Concomitant administrationdoes not require that both compounds be administered in a singlepharmaceutical composition, in the same dosage form, by the same routeof administration, or at the same time. The effects of both compoundsneed not manifest themselves at the same time. The effects need only beoverlapping for a period of time and need not be coextensive.Concomitant administration or co-administration encompassesadministration in parallel or sequentially.

“Adult polyglucosan body disease” is characterized by dysfunction of thecentral and peripheral nervous systems. Associated symptoms and findingsmay include sensory loss in the legs, progressive muscle weakness of thearms and legs, gait disturbances, urination difficulties, and/orcognitive impairment or dementia.

“Amelioration” refers to an improvement or lessening of at least oneindicator, sign, or symptom of an associated disease, disorder, orcondition. In certain embodiments, amelioration includes a delay orslowing in the progression or severity of one or more indicators of acondition or disease. The progression or severity of indicators may bedetermined by subjective or objective measures, which are known to thoseskilled in the art.

“Andersen's disease”, also known as glycogen storage disease type IV, iscaused by deficient activity of the glycogen-branching enzyme, resultingin accumulation of abnormal glycogen in the liver, muscle, and othertissues. The disease course is typically characterized by progressiveliver cirrhosis and liver failure. In some case, several neuromuscularvariants of Andersen's disease occur that may be evident at birth, latechildhood, or adulthood.

“Animal” refers to a human or non-human animal, including, but notlimited to, mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, cats, pigs, and non-humanprimates, including, but not limited to, monkeys and chimpanzees.

“Antisense activity” means any detectable and/or measurable activityattributable to the hybridization of an antisense compound to its targetnucleic acid. In certain embodiments, antisense activity is a decreasein the amount or expression of a target nucleic acid or protein encodedby such target nucleic acid compared to target nucleic acid levels ortarget protein levels in the absence of the antisense compound to thetarget.

“Antisense compound” means a compound comprising an oligonucleotide andoptionally one or more additional features, such as a conjugate group orterminal group. Examples of antisense compounds include single-strandedand double-stranded compounds, such as, oligonucleotides, ribozymes,siRNAs, shRNAs, ssRNAs, and occupancy-based compounds.

“Antisense inhibition” means reduction of target nucleic acid levels inthe presence of an antisense compound complementary to a target nucleicacid compared to target nucleic acid levels in the absence of theantisense compound.

“Antisense mechanisms” are all those mechanisms involving hybridizationof a compound with target nucleic acid, wherein the outcome or effect ofthe hybridization is either target degradation or target occupancy withconcomitant stalling of the cellular machinery involving, for example,transcription or splicing.

“Antisense oligonucleotide” means an oligonucleotide having a nucleobasesequence that is complementary to a target nucleic acid or region orsegment thereof. In certain embodiments, an antisense oligonucleotide isspecifically hybridizable to a target nucleic acid or region or segmentthereof.

“Ataxia” means the loss of full control of bodily movements.

“Bicyclic nucleoside” or “BNA” means a nucleoside comprising a bicyclicsugar moiety. “Bicyclic sugar” or “bicyclic sugar moiety” means amodified sugar moiety comprising two rings, wherein the second ring isformed via a bridge connecting two of the atoms in the first ringthereby forming a bicyclic structure. In certain embodiments, the firstring of the bicyclic sugar moiety is a furanosyl moiety. In certainembodiments, the bicyclic sugar moiety does not comprise a furanosylmoiety.

“Branching group” means a group of atoms having at least 3 positionsthat are capable of forming covalent linkages to at least 3 groups. Incertain embodiments, a branching group provides a plurality of reactivesites for connecting tethered ligands to an oligonucleotide via aconjugate linker and/or a cleavable moiety.

“Chemical modification” in a compound describes the substitutions orchanges through chemical reaction, of any of the units in the compound.“Modified nucleoside” means a nucleoside having, independently, amodified sugar moiety and/or modified nucleobase. “Modifiedoligonucleotide” means an oligonucleotide comprising at least onemodified internucleoside linkage, a modified sugar, and/or a modifiednucleobase.

“Chemically distinct region” refers to a region of a compound that is insome way chemically different than another region of the same compound.For example, a region having 2′-O-methoxyethyl nucleotides is chemicallydistinct from a region having nucleotides without 2′-O-methoxyethylmodifications.

“Chimeric antisense compounds” means antisense compounds that have atleast 2 chemically distinct regions, each position having a plurality ofsubunits.

“Cleavable bond” means any chemical bond capable of being split. Incertain embodiments, a cleavable bond is selected from among: an amide,a polyamide, an ester, an ether, one or both esters of a phosphodiester,a phosphate ester, a carbamate, a di-sulfide, or a peptide.

“Cleavable moiety” means a bond or group of atoms that is cleaved underphysiological conditions, for example, inside a cell, an animal, or ahuman.

“Complementary” in reference to an oligonucleotide means the nucleobasesequence of such oligonucleotide or one or more regions thereof matchesthe nucleobase sequence of another oligonucleotide or nucleic acid orone or more regions thereof when the two nucleobase sequences arealigned in opposing directions. Nucleobase matches or complementarynucleobases, as described herein, are limited to the following pairs:adenine (A) and thymine (T), adenine (A) and uracil (U), cytosine (C)and guanine (G), and 5-methyl cytosine (^(m)C) and guanine (G) unlessotherwise specified. Complementary oligonucleotides and/or nucleic acidsneed not have nucleobase complementarity at each nucleoside and mayinclude one or more nucleobase mismatches. By contrast, “fullycomplementary” or “100% complementary” in reference to oligonucleotidesmeans that such oligonucleotides have nucleobase matches at eachnucleoside without any nucleobase mismatches.

“Contiguous” in the context of an oligonucleotide refers to nucleosides,nucleobases, sugar moieties, or internucleoside linkages that areimmediately adjacent to each other. For example, “contiguousnucleobases” means nucleobases that are immediately adjacent to eachother in a sequence.

“Dementia” means a continued loss of intellectual function that impairsmemory, judgment, and thought.

“Designing” or “Designed to” refer to the process of designing acompound that specifically hybridizes with a selected nucleic acidmolecule.

“Diluent” means an ingredient in a composition that lackspharmacological activity, but is pharmaceutically necessary ordesirable. For example, the diluent in an injected composition can be aliquid, e.g. saline solution.

“Differently modified” mean chemical modifications or chemicalsubstituents that are different from one another, including absence ofmodifications. Thus, for example, a MOE nucleoside and an unmodified DNAnucleoside are “differently modified,” even though the DNA nucleoside isunmodified. Likewise, DNA and RNA are “differently modified,” eventhough both are naturally-occurring unmodified nucleosides.

Nucleosides that are the same but for comprising different nucleobasesare not differently modified. For example, a nucleoside comprising a2′-OMe modified sugar and an unmodified adenine nucleobase and anucleoside comprising a 2′-OMe modified sugar and an unmodified thyminenucleobase are not differently modified.

“Dose” means a specified quantity of a compound or pharmaceutical agentprovided in a single administration, or in a specified time period. Incertain embodiments, a dose may be administered in two or more boluses,tablets, or injections. For example, in certain embodiments, wheresubcutaneous administration is desired, the desired dose may require avolume not easily accommodated by a single injection. In suchembodiments, two or more injections may be used to achieve the desireddose. In certain embodiments, a dose may be administered in two or moreinjections to minimize injection site reaction in an individual. Inother embodiments, the compound or pharmaceutical agent is administeredby infusion over an extended period of time or continuously. Doses maybe stated as the amount of pharmaceutical agent per hour, day, week ormonth.

“Dosing regimen” is a combination of doses designed to achieve one ormore desired effects.

“Double-stranded compound” means a compound comprising two oligomericcompounds that are complementary to each other and form a duplex, andwherein one of the two said oligomeric compounds comprises anoligonucleotide.

“Effective amount” means the amount of compound sufficient to effectuatea desired physiological outcome in an individual in need of thecompound. The effective amount may vary among individuals depending onthe health and physical condition of the individual to be treated, thetaxonomic group of the individuals to be treated, the formulation of thecomposition, assessment of the individual's medical condition, and otherrelevant factors.

“Efficacy” means the ability to produce a desired effect.

“Ensembl ID’ is an identification number consisting of letters andnumbers assigned to a gene sequence by Ensembl, which is a joint projectbetween EMBL-EBI and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute to develop asoftware system that produces and maintans automatic annotation ofselected eukaryotic genomes. Ensembl annotation helps identify a genelocation in a particular genome and can be used to configure theequivalent gene on another species' genome.

“Epilepsy” is a central nervous system disorder in which nerve cellactivity in the brain becomes chronically disrupted. In certaininstances, it may cause cause seizures, periods of unusual behavior,sensations, and sometimes loss of consciousness. In certain instances,it may also cause other symptoms including myoclonus, cognitivedeficits, learning disabilities, or developmental delay in children. Incertain instances, it may lead to death in some patients. In certaininstances, some forms of epilepsy are associated with progressiveneurodegenerative diseases. Many people with epilepsy have more than onesymptom.

“Expression” includes all the functions by which a gene's codedinformation is converted into structures present and operating in acell. Such structures include, but are not limited to the products oftranscription and translation.

“Gapmer” means an oligonucleotide comprising an internal region having aplurality of nucleosides that support RNase H cleavage positionedbetween external regions having one or more nucleosides, wherein thenucleosides comprising the internal region are chemically distinct fromthe nucleoside or nucleosides comprising the external regions. Theinternal region may be referred to as the “gap” and the external regionsmay be referred to as the “wings.”

“Glycogen” is a polysaccharide that is the principal storage form ofglucose in animals. Glycogen is found in the form of granules in thecystosol in a variety of tissues, including brain.

“GYS1” means glycogen synthase 1 and refers to any nucleic acid of GYS1.For example, in certain embodiments, GYS1 includes a DNA sequenceencoding GYS1, an RNA sequence transcribed from DNA encoding GYS1(including genomic DNA comprising introns and exons). The target may bereferred to in either upper or lower case.

“GYS1-specific inhibitor” refers to any agent capable of specificallyinhibiting GYS1 expression or activity at the molecular level. Forexample, GYS1-specific inhibitors include nucleic acids (includingantisense compounds), peptides, antibodies, small molecules, and otheragents capable of inhibiting the expression or activity of GYS1.

“Hybridization” means annealing of oligonucleotides and/or nucleicacids. While not limited to a particular mechanism, the most commonmechanism of hybridization involves hydrogen bonding, which may beWatson-Crick, Hoogsteen or reversed Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding, betweencomplementary nucleobases. In certain embodiments, complementary nucleicacid molecules include, but are not limited to, an antisense compoundand a nucleic acid target. In certain embodiments, complementary nucleicacid molecules include, but are not limited to, an oligonucleotide and anucleic acid target.

“Immediately adjacent” means there are no intervening elements betweenthe immediately adjacent elements of the same kind (e.g. no interveningnucleobases between the immediately adjacent nucleobases).

“Individual” means a human or non-human animal selected for treatment ortherapy.

“Inhibiting the expression or activity” refers to a reduction orblockade of the expression or activity relative to the expression ofactivity in an untreated or control sample and does not necessarilyindicate a total elimination of expression or activity.

“Internucleoside linkage” means a group or bond that forms a covalentlinkage between adjacent nucleosides in an oligonucleotide. “Modifiedinternucleoside linkage” means any internucleoside linkage other than anaturally occurring, phosphate internucleoside linkage. Non-phosphatelinkages are referred to herein as modified internucleoside linkages.

“Intraperitoneal administration” means administration through infusionor injection into the peritoneum.

“Intravenous administration” means administration into a vein.

“Lafora bodies” are massive neurotoxic inclusions formed as a result ofmis-structuring of glycogen and its precipitation and accumulation toform polyglucosan.

“Lafora disease” (LD) means the severe and fatal form ofadolescence-onset epilepsy resulting from accumulation of Lafora bodiesin neurons, muscle, and other tissues.

“Lengthened oligonucleotides” are those that have one or more additionalnucleosides relative to an oligonucleotide disclosed herein, e.g. aparent oligonucleotide.

“Linked nucleosides” means adjacent nucleosides linked together by aninternucleoside linkage.

“Mismatch” or “non-complementary” means a nucleobase of a firstoligonucleotide that is not complementary to the correspondingnucleobase of a second oligonucleotide or target nucleic acid when thefirst and second oligonucleotides are aligned. For example, nucleobasesincluding but not limited to a universal nucleobase, inosine, andhypoxanthine, are capable of hybridizing with at least one nucleobasebut are still mismatched or non-complementary with respect to nucleobaseto which it hybridized. As another example, a nucleobase of a firstoligonucleotide that is not capable of hybridizing to the correspondingnucleobase of a second oligonucleotide or target nucleic acid when thefirst and second oligonucleotides are aligned is a mismatch ornon-complementary nucleobase.

“Modulating” refers to changing or adjusting a feature in a cell,tissue, organ or organism. For example, modulating GYS1 can mean toincrease or decrease the level of GYS1 in a cell, tissue, organ ororganism. A “modulator” effects the change in the cell, tissue, organ ororganism. For example, a compound can be a modulator of GYS1 thatdecreases the amount of GYS1 in a cell, tissue, organ or organism.

“MOE” means methoxyethyl.

“Monomer” refers to a single unit of an oligomer. Monomers include, butare not limited to, nucleosides and nucleotides.

“Motif” means the pattern of unmodified and/or modified sugar moieties,nucleobases, and/or internucleoside linkages, in an oligonucleotide.

“Myoclonus” means episodes of repeated, stereotypic, involuntary musclejerking or twitching that can affect part of the body or the entire bodyfor variable durations.

“Natural” or “naturally occurring” means found in nature.

“Non-bicyclic modified sugar” or “non-bicyclic modified sugar moiety”means a modified sugar moiety that comprises a modification, such as asubstituent, that does not form a bridge between two atoms of the sugarto form a second ring.

“Nucleic acid” refers to molecules composed of monomeric nucleotides. Anucleic acid includes, but is not limited to, ribonucleic acids (RNA),deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA), single-stranded nucleic acids, anddouble-stranded nucleic acids.

“Nucleobase” means a heterocyclic moiety capable of pairing with a baseof another nucleic acid. As used herein a “naturally occurringnucleobase” is adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), uracil (U), andguanine (G). A “modified nucleobase” is a naturally occurring nucleobasethat is chemically modified. A “universal base” or “universalnucleobase” is a nucleobase other than a naturally occurring nucleobaseand modified nucleobase, and is capable of pairing with any nucleobase.

“Nucleobase sequence” means the order of contiguous nucleobases in anucleic acid or oligonucleotide independent of any sugar orinternucleoside linkage.

“Nucleoside” means a compound comprising a nucleobase and a sugarmoiety. The nucleobase and sugar moiety are each, independently,unmodified or modified. “Modified nucleoside” means a nucleosidecomprising a modified nucleobase and/or a modified sugar moiety.Modified nucleosides include abasic nucleosides, which lack anucleobase.

“Oligomeric compound” means a compound comprising a singleoligonucleotide and optionally one or more additional features, such asa conjugate group or terminal group.

“Oligonucleotide” means a polymer of linked nucleosides each of whichcan be modified or unmodified, independent one from another. Unlessotherwise indicated, oligonucleotides consist of 8-80 linkednucleosides. “Modified oligonucleotide” means an oligonucleotide,wherein at least one sugar, nucleobase, or internucleoside linkage ismodified. “Unmodified oligonucleotide” means an oligonucleotide thatdoes not comprise any sugar, nucleobase, or internucleosidemodification.

“Parent oligonucleotide” means an oligonucleotide whose sequence is usedas the basis of design for more oligonucleotides of similar sequence butwith different lengths, motifs, and/or chemistries. The newly designedoligonucleotides may have the same or overlapping sequence as the parentoligonucleotide.

“Parenteral administration” means administration through injection orinfusion. Parenteral administration includes subcutaneousadministration, intravenous administration, intramuscularadministration, intraarterial administration, intraperitonealadministration, or intracranial administration, e.g. intrathecal orintracerebroventricular administration.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent” means any substancesuitable for use in administering to an animal. For example, apharmaceutically acceptable carrier can be a sterile aqueous solution,such as PBS or water-for-injection.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable salts” means physiologically andpharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds, such as oligomericcompounds or oligonucleotides, i.e., salts that retain the desiredbiological activity of the parent compound and do not impart undesiredtoxicological effects thereto.

“Pharmaceutical agent” means a compound that provides a therapeuticbenefit when administered to an individual.

“Pharmaceutical composition” means a mixture of substances suitable foradministering to an individual. For example, a pharmaceuticalcomposition may comprise one or more compounds or salt thereof and asterile aqueous solution.

“Phosphorothioate linkage” means a modified phosphate linkage in whichone of the non-bridging oxygen atoms is replaced with a sulfur atom. Aphosphorothioate internucleoside linkage is a modified internucleosidelinkage.

“Phosphorus moiety” means a group of atoms comprising a phosphorus atom.In certain embodiments, a phosphorus moiety comprises a mono-, di-, ortri-phosphate, or phosphorothioate.

“Pompe disease” also called glycogen storage disease type II, is aneuromuscular disorder caused by buildup of glycogen in the body'scells. Pompe disease is a single disease continuum with variable ratesof disease progression and different ages of onset. The first symptomscan occur at any age from birth to late adulthood.

“Portion” means a defined number of contiguous (i.e., linked)nucleobases of a nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, a portion is adefined number of contiguous nucleobases of a target nucleic acid. Incertain embodiments, a portion is a defined number of contiguousnucleobases of an oligomeric compound.

“Prevent” refers to delaying or forestalling the onset, development orprogression of a disease, disorder, or condition for a period of timefrom minutes to indefinitely.

“Prodrug” means a compound in a form outside the body which, whenadministered to an individual, is metabolized to another form within thebody or cells thereof. In certain embodiments, the metabolized form isthe active, or more active, form of the compound (e.g., drug). Typicallyconversion of a prodrug within the body is facilitated by the action ofan enzyme(s) (e.g., endogenous or viral enzyme) or chemical(s) presentin cells or tissues, and/or by physiologic conditions.

“Reduce” means to bring down to a smaller extent, size, amount, ornumber.

“RefSeq No.” is a unique combination of letters and numbers assigned toa sequence to indicate the sequence is for a particular targettranscript (e.g., target gene). Such sequence and information about thetarget gene (collectively, the gene record) can be found in a geneticsequence database. Genetic sequence databases include the NCBI ReferenceSequence database, GenBank, the European Nucleotide Archive, and the DNAData Bank of Japan (the latter three forming the InternationalNucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration or INSDC).

“Region” is defined as a portion of the target nucleic acid having atleast one identifiable structure, function, or characteristic.

“RNAi compound” means an antisense compound that acts, at least in part,through RISC or Ago2, but not through RNase H, to modulate a targetnucleic acid and/or protein encoded by a target nucleic acid. RNAicompounds include, but are not limited to double-stranded siRNA,single-stranded RNA (ssRNA), and microRNA, including microRNA mimics.

“Segments” are defined as smaller or sub-portions of regions within anucleic acid.

“Seizures” are a symptom of many different disorders and conditions thatcan affect the brain. “Seizures” are typically caused by disruptions inthe electric communication between neurons in the brain, resulting froma brain injury or a disease or disorder. Seizures can take on differentforms and affect different people in different ways. Common physicalchanges that may occur during a seizure are difficulty talking,inability to swallow, drooling, repeated blinking of the eyes, staring,lack of movement of muscle tone, slumping tremors, twitching, or jerkingmovements, rigid or tense muscles, repeated non-purposeful movements,called automatisms, involving the face, arms, or legs, convulsions, lossof control of urine or stool, sweating, change in skin color (palenessor flushing), dilation of pupils, biting of tongue, difficultybreathing, heart palpitations. In some embodiments, seizures are mild.In other embodiments, seizures are completely disabling or may result indeath. Abnormal brain activity can often be documented by abnormalfindings on an electroencephalogram (EEG).

“Side effects” means physiological disease and/or conditionsattributable to a treatment other than the desired effects. In certainembodiments, side effects include injection site reactions, liverfunction test abnormalities, renal function abnormalities, livertoxicity, renal toxicity, central nervous system abnormalities,myopathies, and malaise. For example, increased aminotransferase levelsin serum may indicate liver toxicity or liver function abnormality. Forexample, increased bilirubin may indicate liver toxicity or liverfunction abnormality.

“Single-stranded” in reference to a compound means the compound has onlyone oligonucleotide. “Self-complementary” means an oligonucleotide thatat least partially hybridizes to itself. A compound consisting of oneoligonucleotide, wherein the oligonucleotide of the compound isself-complementary, is a single-stranded compound. A single-strandedcompound may be capable of binding to a complementary compound to form aduplex.

“Sites,” are defined as unique nucleobase positions within a targetnucleic acid.

“Specifically hybridizable” refers to an oligonucleotide having asufficient degree of complementarity between the oligonucleotide and atarget nucleic acid to induce a desired effect, while exhibiting minimalor no effects on non-target nucleic acids. In certain embodiments,specific hybridization occurs under physiological conditions.

“Specifically inhibit” a target nucleic acid means to reduce or blockexpression of the target nucleic acid while exhibiting fewer, minimal,or no effects on non-target nucleic acids reduction and does notnecessarily indicate a total elimination of the target nucleic acid'sexpression.

“Standard cell assay” means assay(s) described in the Examples andreasonable variations thereof.

“Standard in vivo experiment” means the procedure(s) described in theExample(s) and reasonable variations thereof.

“Sugar moiety” means an unmodified sugar moiety or a modified sugarmoiety. “Unmodified sugar moiety” or “unmodified sugar” means a 2′-OH(H)furanosyl moiety, as found in RNA (an “unmodified RNA sugar moiety”), ora 2′-H(H) moiety, as found in DNA (an “unmodified DNA sugar moiety”).Unmodified sugar moieties have one hydrogen at each of the 1′, 3′, and4′ positions, an oxygen at the 3′ position, and two hydrogens at the 5′position. “Modified sugar moiety” or “modified sugar” means a modifiedfuranosyl sugar moiety or a sugar surrogate. “Modified furanosyl sugarmoiety” means a furanosyl sugar comprising a non-hydrogen substituent inplace of at least one hydrogen of an unmodified sugar moiety. In certainembodiments, a modified furanosyl sugar moiety is a 2′-substituted sugarmoiety. Such modified furanosyl sugar moieties include bicyclic sugarsand non-bicyclic sugars.

“Sugar surrogate” means a modified sugar moiety having other than afuranosyl moiety that can link a nucleobase to another group, such as aninternucleoside linkage, conjugate group, or terminal group in anoligonucleotide. Modified nucleosides comprising sugar surrogates can beincorporated into one or more positions within an oligonucleotide andsuch oligonucleotides are capable of hybridizing to complementaryoligomeric compounds or nucleic acids.

“Subcutaneous administration” means administration just below the skin.

“Target gene” refers to a gene encoding a target.

“Targeting” means specific hybridization of a compound that to a targetnucleic acid in order to induce a desired effect.

“Target nucleic acid,” “target RNA,” “target RNA transcript” and“nucleic acid target” all mean a nucleic acid capable of being targetedby compounds described herein.

“Target region” means a portion of a target nucleic acid to which one ormore compounds is targeted.

“Target segment” means the sequence of nucleotides of a target nucleicacid to which a compound described herein is targeted. “5′ target site”refers to the 5′-most nucleotide of a target segment. “3′ target site”refers to the 3′-most nucleotide of a target segment.

“Terminal group” means a chemical group or group of atoms that iscovalently linked to a terminus of an oligonucleotide.

“Therapeutically effective amount” means an amount of a compound,pharmaceutical agent, or composition that provides a therapeutic benefitto an individual.

“Treat” refers to administering a compound or pharmaceutical compositionto an animal in order to effect an alteration or improvement of adisease, disorder, or condition in the animal.

Certain Embodiments

Certain embodiments provide methods, compounds, and compositions formodulating a glycogen storage disease or a polyglucosan disorder or asymptom thereof, in an individual by administering the compound orcomposition to the individual, wherein the compound or compositioncomprises a GYS1 modulator. Modulation of GYS1 can lead to a decrease ofGYS1 level or expression in order to reduce glycogen synthesis andaggregation in order to treat, prevent, ameliorate or delay a glycogenstorage disease, or a symptom thereof. In certain embodiments, the GYS1modulator is a GYS1-specific inhibitor. In certain embodiments,GYS1-specific inhibitors are nucleic acids (including antisensecompounds), peptides, antibodies, small molecules, and other agentscapable of inhibiting the expression or activity of GYS1. In certainembodiments, the individual is human.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein provide compounds or compositionscomprising a GYS1 modulator. Such compounds or compositions are usefulto treat, prevent, amelioarate, or delay the onset of a glycogen storagedisease, or a symptom thereof. In certain embodiments, the compoundcomprises a GYS1-specific inhibitor. In certain embodiments, theGYS1-specific inhibitor is a nucleic acid, polypeptide, antibody, smallmolecules, or other agent capable of inhibiting the expression oractivity of GYS1. In certain embodiments, a GYS1-specific inhibitor is anucleic acid targeting GYS1. In certain embodiments, the nucleic acid issingle stranded. In certain embodiments, the nucleic acid is doublestranded. In certain embodiments, the compound or composition comprisesan antisense compound. In any of the foregoing embodiments, the compoundor composition comprises an oligomeric compound. In certain embodiments,the compound or composition comprises an oligonucleotide targeting GYS1.In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide is single stranded. Incertain embodiments, the compound comprises deoxyribonucleotides. Incertain embodiments, the compound comprises ribonucleotides and isdouble-stranded. In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide is amodified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, the modifiedoligonucleotide is single stranded.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the compound can comprise amodified oligonucleotide 8 to 80, 10 to 30, 12 to 50, 13 to 30, 13 to50, 14 to 30, 14 to 50, 15 to 30, 15 to 50, 16 to 30, 16 to 50, 17 to30, 17 to 50, 18 to 22, 18 to 24, 18 to 30, 18 to 50, 19 to 22, 19 to30, 19 to 50, or 20 to 30 linked nucleosides in length.

In certain embodiments, at least one internucleoside linkage of saidmodified oligonucleotide is a modified internucleoside linkage. Incertain embodiments, at least one internucleoside linkage is aphosphorothioate internucleoside linkage. In certain embodiments, theinternucleoside linkages are phosphorothioate linkages and phosphateester linkages.

In certain embodiments, any of the foregoing oligonucleotides comprisesat least one modified sugar. In certain embodiments, at least onemodified sugar comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl group. In certainembodiments, at least one modified sugar is a bicyclic sugar, such as a4′-CH(CH₃)—O-2′ group, a 4′-CH₂—O-2′ group, or a 4′-(CH₂)₂—O-2′ group.

In certain embodiments, at least one nucleoside of said modifiedoligonucleotide comprises a modified nucleobase. In certain embodiments,the modified nucleobase is a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, a compound or composition comprises a modifiedoligonucleotide comprising: a) a gap segment consisting of linkeddeoxynucleosides; b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of linked nucleosides;and c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of linked nucleosides. The gapsegment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wingsegment and each nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a modifiedsugar. In certain embodiments, at least one internucleoside linkage is aphosphorothioate linkage. In certain embodiments, and at least onecytosine is a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, a compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide12 to 80 linked nucleosides in length and having a nucleobase sequencecomprising the nucleobase sequence of any one of SEQ ID Nos: 10-76. Incertain embodiments, the compound is an antisense compound or oligomericcompound. In certain embodiments, the compound is single-stranded. Incertain embodiments, the compound is double-stranded. In certainembodiments, the modified oligonucleotide is 12 to 30 linked nucleosidesin length.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions disclosed hereinfurther comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

In certain embodiments, the compound or composition is co-administeredwith a second agent. In certain embodiments, the compound and the secondagent are administered concomitantly.

In certain embodiments, compounds and compositions described hereintargeting GYS1 can be used in methods of inhibiting expression of GYS1in a cell. In certain embodiments, compounds and compositions describedherein targeting GYS1 can be used in methods of treating, preventing,delaying, or ameliorating a a glycogen storage disease or a polyglucosandisorder, including, but not limited to, Lafora disease, adultpolyglucosan body disease, and Pompe disease.

Certain Indications

Certain embodiments provided herein relate to methods of inhibiting GYS1expression or activity, which can be useful for treating, preventing, orameliorating a disease associated with GYS1 in an individual, byadministration of a compound or composition that targets GYS1. Incertain embodiments, such a compound or composition comprises aGYS1-specific inhibitor. In certain embodiments, the compound comprisesan antisense compound or an oligomeric compound targeted to GYS1. Incertain embodiments, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotidetargeted to GYS1.

In certain embodiments, a method of inhibiting expression or activity ofGYS1 in a cell comprises contacting the cell with a compound orcomposition comprising a GYS1-specific inhibitor, thereby inhibiting theexpression or activity of GYS1 in the cell. In certain embodiments, thecell is a neuron. In certain embodiments, the cell is a hepatocyte. Incertain embodiments, the cell is a skeletal muscle cell. In certainembodiments, the cell is a cardiac muscle cell. In certain embodiments,the cell is in the brain tissue, in the liver, in the heart, or in theskeletal muscle. In certain embodiments, the cell is in the brain,liver, heart, or skeletal muscle tissue of an individual who has, or isat risk of having a disease, disorder, condition, symptom, orphysiological marker associated with a glycogen storage disease or apolyglucosan disorder. In certain embodiments, the polyglucosan diseaseor disorder is Lafora disease. In certain embodiments, the polyglucosandisease or disorder is adult polyglucosan body disease. In certainembodiments, the disease or disorder is Andersen's disease. In certainembodiments, the polyglucosan disease or disorder is Pompe disease. Incertain embodiments, the GYS1-specific inhibitor is a nucleic acid,peptide, antibody, small molecule or other agent capable of inhibitingthe expression or activity of the GYS1. In certain embodiments, theGYS1-specific inhibitor is an antisense compound or an oligomericcompound targeted to GYS1. In certain embodiments, the GYS1-specificinhibitor is oligonucleotide targeted to GYS1. In certain embodiments,the compound or composition comprises a modified oligonucleotide 8 to 80linked nucleosides in length. In certain embodiments, the compound orcomposition comprises a modified oligonucleotide 10 to 30 linkednucleosides in length. In certain embodiments, the compound comprising amodified oligonucleotide can be single-stranded. In certain embodiments,the compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide can bedouble-stranded.

In certain embodiments, a method of treating, preventing, delaying theonset, slowing the progression, or ameliorating one or more disease,disorders, conditions, symptoms, or physiological markers associatedwith GYS1 comprises administering to the individual a compound orcomposition comprising a GYS1-specific inhibitor. In certainembodiments, a method of treating, preventing, delaying the onset,slowing the progression, or ameliorating a disease, disorder, condition,symptom, or physiological marker associated with a with a glycogenstorage disease or a polyglucosan disease or disorder in an individualcomprises administering to the individual a compound or compositioncomprising a GYS1-specific inhibitor, thereby treating, preventing,delaying the onset, slowing the progression, or ameliorating thedisease. In certain embodiments, the individual is identified as having,or at risk of having, the disease, disorder, condition, symptom orphysiological marker. In certain embodiments, the polyglucosan diseaseor disorder is Lafora disease. In certain embodiments, the polyglucosandisease or disorder is adult polyglucosan body disease. In certainembodiments, the disease or disorder is Andersen's disease. In certainembodiments, the polyglucosan disease or disorder is Pompe disease. Incertain embodiments, the GYS1-specific inhibitor is administered to theindividual parenterally. In certain embodiments, the parenteraladministration is intracerebroventricular administration. In certainembodiments, the parenteral administration is intrathecaladministration. In certain embodiments, the parenteral administration issubcutaneous administration. In certain embodiments, the individual ishuman. In certain embodiments, the GYS1-specific inhibitor is a nucleicacid, peptide, antibody, small molecule or other agent capable ofinhibiting the expression or activity of GYS1. In certain embodiments,the GYS1-specific inhibitor comprises an antisense compound or anoligomeric compound targeted to GYS1. In certain embodiments, theGYS1-specific inhibitor is an oligonucleotide targeted to GYS1. Incertain embodiments, the compound or composition comprises a modifiedoligonucleotide 10 to 30 linked nucleosides in length. In certainembodiments, the compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide can besingle-stranded. In certain embodiments, the compound comprising amodified oligonucleotide can be double-stranded.

In certain embodiments, a method of reducing seizures, decreasingmyoclonus or muscle spasms, alleviating difficulty in walking(peripheral neuropathy), spasticity, reducing, preventing the onset of,or treating dementia, alleviating difficulties in speech, reducing orpreventing the onset of visual hallucinations, treating, reducing orpreventing the onset of progressive neurologic degeneration, treating,reducing, or preventing the onset of damage to nerves that controlbladder function, lessening hypotonia, improving muscle tone, reducingor preventing the onset of an enlarged liver, reducing or preventing theonset of heart defects, reducing or preventing the accumulation ofpolyglucosan bodies in a cell. reducing or preventing the accumulationof lafora bodies in a cell, reducing glycogen accumulation in a cell,improving or preventing cognitive deterioration, and reducing ataxia, ora combination thereof, in an individual comprises administering to theindividual a compound or composition comprising a GYS1-specificinhibitor. In certain embodiments, the cell is a neuron. In certainembodiments, the cell is a hepatocyte. In certain embodiments, the cellis a skeletal muscle cell. Inc certain embodiments, the cell is acardiac muscle cell. In certain embodiments, administering the compoundor composition reduces seizures in the individual. In certainembodiments, administering the compound or composition decreasesmyoclonus or muscle spasms in the individual. In certain embodiments,administering the compound or composition alleviates difficulty inwalking in the individual. In certain embodiments, administering thecompound or composition alleviates peripheral neuropathy in theindividual. In certain embodiments, administering the compound orcomposition alleviates spasticity in the individual. In certainembodiments, administering the compound or composition reduces, preventsthe onset of, or treats dementia in the individual. In certainembodiments, administering the compound or composition alleviatesdifficulties in speech in the individual. In certain embodiments,administering the compound or composition reduces or prevents the onsetof visual hallucinations in the individual. In certain embodiments,administering the compound or composition treats, reduces or preventsthe onset of progressive neurologic degeneration in the individual. Incertain embodiments, administering the compound or composition treats,reduces or prevents the onset of damage to the nerves that controlbladder function in the individual. In certain embodiments,administering the compound or composition treats, reduces or preventsthe onset of hypotonia in the individual. In certain embodiments,administering the compound or composition improves muscle tone in theindividual. In certain embodiments, administering the compound orcomposition treats, reduces or prevents the onset of liver enlargementin the individual. In certain embodiments, administering the compound orcomposition treats, reduces or prevents the onset of heart defects inthe individual. In certain embodiments, administering the compound orcomposition treats, reduces or prevents the onset of polyglucosan bodiesin a cell in the individual. In certain embodiments, administering thecompound or composition treats, reduces or prevents the onset of laforabodies in a cell in the individual. In certain embodiments,administering the compound or composition treats, reduces or preventsthe onset of glycogen accumulation in a cell in the individual. Incertain embodiments, the cell is a neuron. In certain embodiments, thecell is a hepatocyte. In certain embodiments, the cell is a skeletalmuscle cell. Inc certain embodiments, the cell is a cardiac muscle cell.In certain embodiments, administering the compound or compositionimproves or prevents cognitive deterioration. In certain embodiments,administering the compound or composition treats, reduces ataxia in theindividual. In certain embodiments, the individual is identified ashaving, or at risk of having a disease, disorder, condition, symptom, orphysiological marker associated with a glycogen storage disease or apolyglucosan disease or disorder. In certain embodiments, thepolyglucosan disease or disorder is Lafora disease. In certainembodiments, the polyglucosan disease or disorder is adult polyglucosanbody disease. In certain embodiments, the disease or disorder isAndersen's disease. In certain embodiments, the polyglucosan disease ordisorder is Pompe disease. In certain embodiments, the GYS1-specificinhibitor is administered to the individual parenterally. In certainembodiments, the parenteral administration is intracerebroventricularadministration. In certain embodiments, the parenteral administration isintrathecal administration. In certain embodiments, the parenteraladministration is subcutaneous administration. In certain embodiments,the individual is human. In certain embodiments, the GYS1-specificinhibitor is a nucleic acid, peptide, antibody, small molecule or otheragent capable of inhibiting the expression or activity of the GYS1. Incertain embodiments, the GYS1-specific inhibitor is an antisensecompound or an oligomeric compound targeted to GYS1. In certainembodiments, the GYS1-specific inhibitor is oligonucleotide targeted toGYS1. In certain embodiments, the compound or composition comprises amodified oligonucleotide 8 to 80 linked nucleosides in length. Incertain embodiments, the compound or composition comprises a modifiedoligonucleotide 10 to 30 linked nucleosides in length. In certainembodiments, the compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide can besingle-stranded. In certain embodiments, the compound comprising amodified oligonucleotide can be double-stranded.

In certain embodiments, administering the compound or compositiondisclosed herein decreases seizures, decreases myoclonus or musclespasms, alleviates difficulty in walking, alleviates spasticity,reduces, prevents the onset of or treats dementia, alleviatesdifficulties in speech, reduces or prevents the onset of visualhallucinations, treats, reduces or prevents the onset of progressiveneurologic degeneration, treating, reducing, or preventing the onset ofdamage to nerves that control bladder function, lessening hypotonia,improving muscle tone, reducing or preventing the onset of an enlargedliver, reducing or preventing the onset of heart defects, reducespolyglucosan bodies in a cell, reduces lafora bodies in a cell, reducesglycogen accumulation in a cell, improves cognitive deterioration, andreduces ataxia, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments,seizures were independently reduced by at least 5%, at least 10%, atleast 20%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45% or atleast 50%. In certain embodiments, myoclonus or muscle spasms wereindependently reduced by at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, atleast 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45% or at least 50%. Incertain embodiments, difficulty in walking was independently alleviatedby at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 35%,at least 40%, at least 45% or at least 50%. In certain embodiments,spasticity was independently reduced by at least 5%, at least 10%, atleast 20%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45% or atleast 50%. In certain embodiments, difficulty in speech wasindependently alleviated by at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, atleast 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45% or at least 50%. Incertain embodiments, visual hallucinations were independently reduced byat least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 35%, atleast 40%, at least 45% or at least 50%. In certain embodiments,progressive neurologic degeneration was independently reduced by atleast 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 35%, atleast 40%, at least 45% or at least 50%. In certain embodiments,dementia progression was independently reduced by at least 5%, at least10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least45% or at least 50%. In certain embodiments, nerve damage of bladderfunction independently reduced by at least 5%, at least 10%, at least20%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45% or at least50%. In certain embodiments, hypotonia was independently reduced by atleast 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 35%, atleast 40%, at least 45% or at least 50%. In certain embodiments, liverenlargement was independently reduced by at least 5%, at least 10%, atleast 20%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45% or atleast 50%. In certain embodiments, heart defects were independentlyreduced by at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, atleast 35%, at least 40%, at least 45% or at least 50%. In certainembodiments, polyglucosan bodies in a cell were independently reduced byat least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 35%, atleast 40%, at least 45% or at least 50%. In certain embodiments, laforabodies in a cell were independently reduced by at least 5%, at least10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least45% or at least 50%. In certain embodiments, glycogen accumulation in acell were independently reduced by at least 5%, at least 10%, at least20%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45% or at least50%. In certain embodiments, cognitive deterioration was reduced by atleast 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 35%, atleast 40%, at least 45% or at least 50%. In certain embodiments, ataxiawas independently reduced by at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, atleast 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45% or at least 50%. Incertain embodiments, the cell is a neuron. In certain embodiments, thecell is a hepatocyte. In certain embodiments, the cell is a skeletalmuscle cell. Inc certain embodiments, the cell is a cardiac muscle cell.

Certain embodiments provide compounds and compositions described hereinfor use in therapy. Certain embodiments are drawn to a compound orcomposition comprising a GYS1-specific inhibitor for use in treating,preventing, delaying the onset, slowing the progression, or amelioratingone or more diseases, disorders, conditions, symptoms, or physiologicalmarkers associated with GYS1. Certain embodiments are drawn to acompound or composition for use in treating, preventing, delaying theonset, slowing the progression, or ameliorating a glycogen storagedisease or a polyglucosan disease or disorder, or a symptom orphysiological marker thereof. In certain embodiments, the polyglucosandisease or disorder is Lafora disease. In certain embodiments, thepolyglucosan disease or disorder is adult polyglucosan body disease. Incertain embodiments, the disease or disorder is Andersen's disease.

In certain embodiments, the polyglucosan disease or disorder is Pompedisease. In certain embodiments, the GYS1-specific inhibitor is anucleic acid, peptide, antibody, small molecule or other agent capableof inhibiting the expression or activity of the GYS1. In certainembodiments, the GYS1-specific inhibitor is an antisense compound or anoligomeric compound targeted to GYS1. In certain embodiments, theGYS1-specific inhibitor is oligonucleotide targeted to GYS1. In certainembodiments, the compound or composition comprises a modifiedoligonucleotide 8 to 80 linked nucleosides in length. In certainembodiments, the compound or composition comprises a modifiedoligonucleotide 10 to 30 linked nucleosides in length. In certainembodiments, the compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide can besingle-stranded. In certain embodiments, the compound comprising amodified oligonucleotide can be double-stranded.

Certain embodiments are drawn to a compound or composition comprising aGYS1-specific inhibitor for use in reducing seizures, decreasingmyoclonus or muscle spasms, alleviating difficulty in walking, reducing,preventing the onset of, or treating dementia, alleviating difficultiesin speech, reducing or preventing the onset of visual hallucinations,treating, reducing or preventing the onset of progressive neurologicdegeneration, treating, reducing, or preventing the onset of damage tonerves that control bladder function, lessening hypotonia, improvingmuscle tone, reducing or preventing the onset of an enlarged liver,reducing or preventing the onset of heart defects, reducing orpreventing the accumulation of polyglucosan bodies in a cell. reducingor preventing the accumulation of lafora bodies in a cell, reducingglycogen accumulation in a cell, improving or preventing cognitivedeterioration, and reducing ataxia, or a combination thereof, in anindividual. In certain embodiments, administering the compound orcomposition reduces seizures in the individual. In certain embodiments,administering the compound or composition decreases myoclonus or musclespasms in the individual. In certain embodiments, administering thecompound or composition alleviates difficulty in walking in theindividual. In certain embodiments, administering the compound orcomposition reduces, prevents the onset of, or treats dementia in theindividual. In certain embodiments, administering the compound orcomposition alleviates difficulties in speech in the individual. Incertain embodiments, administering the compound or composition reducesor prevents the onset of visual hallucinations in the individual. Incertain embodiments, administering the compound or composition treats,reduces or prevents the onset of progressive neurologic degeneration inthe individual. In certain embodiments, administering the compound orcomposition treats, reduces, or prevents the onset of damage to nervesthat control bladder function in the individual. In certain embodiments,administering the compound or composition treats, reduces, or preventshypotonia in the individual. In certain embodiments, administering thecompound or composition improves muscle tone in the individual. Incertain embodiments, administering the compound or composition reducesor prevents the onset of an enlarged liver in the individual. In certainembodiments, administering the compound or composition reduces orprevents the onset of heart defects in the individual. In certainembodiments, administering the compound or composition treats, reducesor prevents the onset of polyglucosan bodies in a cell in theindividual. In certain embodiments, administering the compound orcomposition treats, reduces or prevents the onset of lafora bodies in acell in the individual. In certain embodiments, administering thecompound or composition treats, reduces or prevents the onset ofglycogen accumulation in a cell in the individual. In certainembodiments, the cell is a neuron. In certain embodiments, the cell is ahepatocyte. In certain embodiments, the cell is a skeletal muscle cell.Inc certain embodiments, the cell is a cardiac muscle cell. In certainembodiments, administering the compound or composition improves orprevents cognitive deterioration. In certain embodiments, administeringthe compound or composition treats, reduces ataxia in the individual. Incertain embodiments, the individual is identified as having, or at riskof having a disease, disorder, condition, symptom, or physiologicalmarker associated with a glycogen storage disease or a polyglucosandisease or disorder. In certain embodiments, the polyglucosan disease ordisorder is Lafora disease. In certain embodiments, the polyglucosandisease or disorder is adult polyglucosan body disease. In certainembodiments, the disease or disorder is Andersen's disease. In certainembodiments, the polyglucosan disease or disorder is Pompe disease. Incertain embodiments, the individual is human. In certain embodiments,the GYS1-specific inhibitor is a nucleic acid, peptide, antibody, smallmolecule or other agent capable of inhibiting the expression or activityof the GYS1. In certain embodiments, the GYS1-specific inhibitor is anantisense compound or an oligomeric compound targeted to GYS1. Incertain embodiments, the GYS1-specific inhibitor is oligonucleotidetargeted to GYS1. In certain embodiments, the compound or compositioncomprises a modified oligonucleotide 8 to 80 linked nucleosides inlength. In certain embodiments, the compound or composition comprises amodified oligonucleotide 10 to 30 linked nucleosides in length. Incertain embodiments, the compound comprising a modified oligonucleotidecan be single-stranded. In certain embodiments, the compound comprisinga modified oligonucleotide can be double-stranded.

Certain embodiments are drawn to the use of compounds or compositionsdescribed herein for the manufacture or preparation of a medicament fortherapy. Certain embodiments are drawn to the use of a compound orcomposition as described herein in the manufacture or preparation of amedicament for treating, preventing, delaying the onset, slowingprogression, or ameliorating one or more diseases, disorders,conditions, symptoms, or physiological markers associated with GYS1. Incertain embodiments, the compound or composition as described herein isused in the manufacture or preparation of a medicament for treating,ameliorating, delaying or preventing a glycogen storage disease or apolyglucosan disease or disorder. In certain embodiments, thepolyglucosan disease or disorder is Lafora disease. In certainembodiments, the polyglucosan disease or disorder is adult polyglucosanbody disease. In certain embodiments, the disease or disorder isAndersen's disease. In certain embodiments, the polyglucosan disease ordisorder is Pompe disease. In certain embodiments, the compound orcomposition comprises a nucleic acid, peptide, antibody, small moleculeor other agent capable of inhibiting the expression or activity of GYS1.In certain embodiments, the compound or composition comprises anantisense compound or an oligomeric compound targeted to GYS1. Incertain embodiments, the compound or composition comprises anoligonucleotide targeted to GYS1. In certain embodiments, the compoundor composition comprises a modified oligonucleotide 8 to 80 linkednucleosides in length. In certain embodiments, the compound orcomposition comprises a modified oligonucleotide 10 to 30 linkednucleosides in length. In certain embodiments, the compound orcomposition comprising a modified oligonucleotide can besingle-stranded. In certain embodiments, the compound or compositioncomprising a modified oligonucleotide can be double-stranded.

Certain embodiments are drawn to the use of a compound or compositionfor the manufacture or preparation of a medicament for reducingseizures, decreasing myoclonus or muscle spasms, alleviating difficultyin walking, reducing, preventing the onset of, or treating dementia,alleviating difficulties in speech, reducing or preventing the onset ofvisual hallucinations, treating, reducing or preventing the onset ofprogressive neurologic degeneration, treating, reducing, or preventingthe onset of damage to nerves that control bladder function, lesseninghypotonia, improving muscle tone, reducing or preventing the onset of anenlarged liver, reducing or preventing the onset of heart defects,reducing or preventing the accumulation of polyglucosan bodies in acell. reducing or preventing the accumulation of lafora bodies in acell, reducing glycogen accumulation in a cell, improving or preventingcognitive deterioration, and reducing ataxia, or a combination thereof,in an individual having or at risk of having a glycogen storage diseaseor a polyglucosan disease or disorder. In certain embodiments, the cellis a neuron. In certain embodiments, the cell is a hepatocyte. Incertain embodiments, the cell is a skeletal muscle cell. Inc certainembodiments, the cell is a cardiac muscle cell. Certain embodiments aredrawn to use of a compound or composition in the manufacture orpreparation of a medicament for reducing seizures in the individual.Certain embodiments are drawn to use of a compound or composition in themanufacture or preparation of a medicament for decreasing myoclonus ormuscle spasms in the individual. Certain embodiments are drawn to use ofa compound or composition in the manufacture or preparation of amedicament for alleviating difficulty in walking in the individual.Certain embodiments are drawn to use of a compound or composition in themanufacture or preparation of a medicament for reducing, preventing theonset of, or treating dementia in the individual. Certain embodimentsare drawn to use of a compound or composition in the manufacture orpreparation of a medicament alleviating difficulties in speech in theindividual. Certain embodiments are drawn to use of a compound orcomposition in the manufacture or preparation of a medicament reducingor preventing the onset of visual hallucinations in the individual.Certain embodiments are drawn to use of a compound or composition in themanufacture or preparation of a medicament treating, reducing orpreventing the onset of progressive neurologic degeneration in theindividual. Certain embodiments are drawn to the use of a compound orcomposition in the manufacture or preparation of a medicament fortreating, reducing, or preventing the onset of damage to nerves thatcontrol bladder function in the individual. Certain embodiments aredrawn to the use of a compound or composition in the manufacture orpreparation of a medicament for treating, reducing, or preventinghypotonia in the individual. Certain embodiments are drawn to the use ofa compound or composition in the manufacture or preparation of amedicament for improving muscle tone in the individual. Certainembodiments are drawn to the use of a compound or composition in themanufacture or preparation of a medicament for treating, reducing, orpreventing the onset of an enlarged liver in the individual. Certainembodiments are drawn to the use of a compound or composition in themanufacture or preparation of a medicament for treating, reducing, orpreventing the onset of heart defects in the individual. Certainembodiments are drawn to the use of a compound or composition in themanufacture or preparation of a medicament for treating, reducing, orpreventing the onset of polyglucosan bodies in a cell in the individual.Certain embodiments are drawn to the use of a compound or composition inthe manufacture or preparation of a medicament for treating, reducing,or preventing the onset of lafora bodies in the individual. Certainembodiments are drawn to the use of a compound or composition in themanufacture or preparation of a medicament for treating, reducing, orpreventing the onset of glycogen accumulation in the individual. Certainembodiments are drawn to use of a compound or composition in themanufacture or preparation of a medicament reducing ataxia in theindividual. In certain embodiments, the cell is a neuron. In certainembodiments, the cell is a hepatocyte. In certain embodiments, the cellis a skeletal muscle cell. Inc certain embodiments, the cell is acardiac muscle cell. In certain embodiments, the compound or compositioncomprises a nucleic acid, peptide, antibody, small molecule or otheragent capable of inhibiting the expression or activity of the GYS1. Incertain embodiments, the compound or composition comprises an antisensecompound or an oligomeric compound targeted to GYS1. In certainembodiments, the compound or composition comprises an oligonucleotidetargeted to GYS1. In certain embodiments, the compound or compositioncomprises a modified oligonucleotide 8 to 80 linked nucleosides inlength. In certain embodiments, the compound or composition comprises amodified oligonucleotide 10 to 30 linked nucleosides in length. Incertain embodiments, the compound or composition comprising a modifiedoligonucleotide can be single-stranded. In certain embodiments, thecompound or composition comprising a modified oligonucleotide can bedouble-stranded.

In any of the foregoing methods or uses, the compound or composition cancomprise an antisense compound targeted to GYS1. In certain embodiments,the compound comprises an oligonucleotide, for example anoligonucleotide consisting of 8 to 80 linked nucleosides, 10 to 30linked nucleosides, 12 to 30 linked nucleosides, or 20 linkednucleosides. In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide comprises atleast one modified internucleoside linkage, at least one modified sugarand/or at least one modified nucleobase. In certain embodiments, themodified internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate internucleosidelinkage, the modified sugar is a bicyclic sugar or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl,and the modified nucleobase is a 5-methylcytosine. In certainembodiments, the modified oligonucleotide comprises a gap segmentconsisting of linked deoxynucleosides; a 5′ wing segment consisting oflinked nucleosides; and a 3′ wing segment consisting of linkednucleosides, wherein the gap segment is positioned immediately adjacentto and between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment and whereineach nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a modified sugar. Incertain embodiments, the compound can comprise a modifiedoligonucleotide 12 to 80 linked nucleosides in length and having anucleobase sequence comprising the nucleobase sequences of any one ofSEQ ID NOs: 10-76. In certain embodiments, the compound is an antisensecompound or oligomeric compound. In certain embodiments, the compound issingle-stranded. In certain embodiments, the compound isdouble-stranded. In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide is12 to 30 linked nucleosides in length. In certain embodiments, thecompounds or compositions disclosed herein further comprise apharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

In any of the foregoing methods or uses, the compound or compositioncomprises or consists of a modified oligonucleotide 12 to 30 linkednucleosides in length, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises:

a gap segment consisting of linked 2′-deoxynucleosides;a 5′ wing segment consisting of linked nucleosides; anda 3′ wing segment consisting of linked nucleosides;

wherein the gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment andthe 3′ wing segment and wherein each nucleoside of each wing segmentcomprises a modified sugar.

In any of the foregoing methods or uses, the compound or composition canbe administered parenterally. For example, in certain embodiments thecompound or composition can be administered through injection orinfusion. Parenteral administration includes subcutaneousadministration, intravenous administration, intramuscularadministration, intraarterial administration, intraperitonealadministration, or intracranial administration. In certain embodiments,the compound or composition is co-administered with a second agent. Incertain embodiments, the compound or composition and the second agentare administered concomitantly.

Certain Compounds

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein are antisensecompounds. In certain embodiments, the antisense compound comprises orconsists of an oligomeric compound. In certain embodiments, theoligomeric compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide. In certainembodiments, the modified oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequencecomplementary to that of a target nucleic acid.

In certain embodiments, a compound described herein comprises orconsists of a modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, themodified oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequence complementary to thatof a target nucleic acid.

In certain embodiments, a compound or antisense compound issingle-stranded. Such a single-stranded compound or antisense compoundcomprises or consists of an oligomeric compound. In certain embodiments,such an oligomeric compound comprises or consists of an oligonucleotide.In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide is an antisenseoligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide ismodified. In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide of asingle-stranded antisense compound or oligomeric compound comprises aself-complementary nucleobase sequence.

In certain embodiments, compounds are double-stranded. Suchdouble-stranded compounds comprise a first modified oligonucleotidehaving a region complementary to a target nucleic acid and a secondmodified oligonucleotide having a region complementary to the firstmodified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, the modifiedoligonucleotide is an RNA oligonucleotide. In such embodiments, thethymine nucleobase in the modified oligonucleotide is replaced by auracil nucleobase. In certain embodiments, compound comprises aconjugate group. In certain embodiments, each modified oligonucleotideis 12-30 linked nucleosides in length.

In certain embodiments, compounds are double-stranded. Suchdouble-stranded compounds comprise a first oligomeric compound having aregion complementary to a target nucleic acid and a second oligomericcompound having a region complementary to the first oligomeric compound.The first oligomeric compound of such double stranded compoundstypically comprises or consists of a modified oligonucleotide. Theoligonucleotide of the second oligomeric compound of suchdouble-stranded compound may be modified or unmodified. The oligomericcompounds of double-stranded compounds may include non-complementaryoverhanging nucleosides.

Examples of single-stranded and double-stranded compounds include butare not limited to oligonucleotides, siRNAs, microRNA targetingoligonucleotides, and single-stranded RNAi compounds, such as smallhairpin RNAs (shRNAs), single-stranded siRNAs (ssRNAs), and microRNAmimics.

In certain embodiments, a compound described herein has a nucleobasesequence that, when written in the 5′ to 3′ direction, comprises thereverse complement of the target segment of a target nucleic acid towhich it is targeted.

In certain embodiments, a compound described herein comprises anoligonucleotide 10 to 30 linked subunits in length. In certainembodiments, compound described herein comprises an oligonucleotide is12 to 30 linked subunits in length. In certain embodiments, compounddescribed herein comprises an oligonucleotide is 12 to 22 linkedsubunits in length. In certain embodiments, compound described hereincomprises an oligonucleotide is 14 to 30 linked subunits in length. Incertain embodiments, compound described herein comprises anoligonucleotide is 14 to 20 linked subunits in length. In certainembodiments, compound described herein comprises an oligonucleotide is15 to 30 linked subunits in length. In certain embodiments, compounddescribed herein comprises an oligonucleotide is 15 to 20 linkedsubunits in length. In certain embodiments, compound described hereincomprises an oligonucleotide is 16 to 30 linked subunits in length. Incertain embodiments, compound described herein comprises anoligonucleotide is 16 to 20 linked subunits in length. In certainembodiments, compound described herein comprises an oligonucleotide is17 to 30 linked subunits in length. In certain embodiments, compounddescribed herein comprises an oligonucleotide is 17 to 20 linkedsubunits in length. In certain embodiments, compound described hereincomprises an oligonucleotide is 18 to 30 linked subunits in length. Incertain embodiments, compound described herein comprises anoligonucleotide is 18 to 21 linked subunits in length. In certainembodiments, compound described herein comprises an oligonucleotide is18 to 20 linked subunits in length. In certain embodiments, compounddescribed herein comprises an oligonucleotide is 20 to 30 linkedsubunits in length. In other words, such oligonucleotides are from 12 to30 linked subunits, 14 to 30 linked subunits, 14 to 20 subunits, 15 to30 subunits, 15 to 20 subunits, 16 to 30 subunits, 16 to 20 subunits, 17to 30 subunits, 17 to 20 subunits, 18 to 30 subunits, 18 to 20 subunits,18 to 21 subunits, 20 to 30 subunits, or 12 to 22 linked subunits,respectively. In certain embodiments, a compound described hereincomprises an oligonucleotide 14 linked subunits in length. In certainembodiments, a compound described herein comprises an oligonucleotide 16linked subunits in length. In certain embodiments, a compound describedherein comprises an oligonucleotide 17 linked subunits in length. Incertain embodiments, compound described herein comprises anoligonucleotide 18 linked subunits in length. In certain embodiments, acompound described herein comprises an oligonucleotide 19 linkedsubunits in length. In certain embodiments, a compound described hereincomprises an oligonucleotide 20 linked subunits in length. In otherembodiments, a compound described herein comprises an oligonucleotide 8to 80, 12 to 50, 13 to 30, 13 to 50, 14 to 30, 14 to 50, 15 to 30, 15 to50, 16 to 30, 16 to 50, 17 to 30, 17 to 50, 18 to 22, 18 to 24, 18 to30, 18 to 50, 19 to 22, 19 to 30, 19 to 50, or 20 to 30 linked subunits.In certain such embodiments, the compound described herein comprises anoligonucleotide 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21,22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39,40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57,58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75,76, 77, 78, 79, or 80 linked subunits in length, or a range defined byany two of the above values. In some embodiments the linked subunits arenucleotides, nucleosides, or nucleobases.

In certain embodiments, compounds may be shortened or truncated. Forexample, a single subunit may be deleted from the 5′ end (5′truncation), or alternatively from the 3′ end (3′ truncation). Ashortened or truncated compound targeted to a GYS1 nucleic acid may havetwo subunits deleted from the 5′ end, or alternatively may have twosubunits deleted from the 3′ end, of the compound. Alternatively, thedeleted nucleosides may be dispersed throughout the compound.

When a single additional subunit is present in a lengthened compound,the additional subunit may be located at the 5′ or 3′ end of thecompound. When two or more additional subunits are present, the addedsubunits may be adjacent to each other, for example, in a compoundhaving two subunits added to the 5′ end (5′ addition), or alternativelyto the 3′ end (3′ addition), of the compound. Alternatively, the addedsubunits may be dispersed throughout the compound.

It is possible to increase or decrease the length of a compound, such asan oligonucleotide, and/or introduce mismatch bases without eliminatingactivity (Woolf et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:7305-7309, 1992;Gautschi et al. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 93:463-471, March 2001; Maher andDolnick Nuc. Acid. Res. 16:3341-3358, 1988). However, seemingly smallchanges in oligonucleotide sequence, chemistry and motif can make largedifferences in one or more of the many properties required for clinicaldevelopment (Seth et al. J. Med. Chem. 2009, 52, 10; Egli et al. J. Am.Chem. Soc. 2011, 133, 16642).

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein are interfering RNAcompounds (RNAi), which include double-stranded RNA compounds (alsoreferred to as short-interfering RNA or siRNA) and single-stranded RNAicompounds (or ssRNA). Such compounds work at least in part through theRISC pathway to degrade and/or sequester a target nucleic acid (thus,include microRNA/microRNA-mimic compounds). As used herein, the termsiRNA is meant to be equivalent to other terms used to describe nucleicacid molecules that are capable of mediating sequence specific RNAi, forexample short interfering RNA (siRNA), double-stranded RNA (dsRNA),micro-RNA (miRNA), short hairpin RNA (shRNA), short interferingoligonucleotide, short interfering nucleic acid, short interferingmodified oligonucleotide, chemically modified siRNA,post-transcriptional gene silencing RNA (ptgsRNA), and others. Inaddition, as used herein, the term RNAi is meant to be equivalent toother terms used to describe sequence specific RNA interference, such aspost transcriptional gene silencing, translational inhibition, orepigenetics.

In certain embodiments, a double-stranded compound comprises a firststrand comprising the nucleobase sequence complementary to a targetregion of a GYS1 nucleic acid and a second strand. In certainembodiments, the double-stranded compound comprises ribonucleotides inwhich the first strand has uracil (U) in place of thymine (T) and iscomplementary to a target region. In certain embodiments, adouble-stranded compound comprises (i) a first strand comprising anucleobase sequence complementary to a target region of a GYS1 nucleicacid, and (ii) a second strand. In certain embodiments, thedouble-stranded compound comprises one or more modified nucleotides inwhich the 2′ position in the sugar contains a halogen (such as fluorinegroup; 2′-F) or contains an alkoxy group (such as a methoxy group;2′-OMe). In certain embodiments, the double-stranded compound comprisesat least one 2′-F sugar modification and at least one 2′-OMe sugarmodification. In certain embodiments, the at least one 2′-F sugarmodification and at least one 2′-OMe sugar modification are arranged inan alternating pattern for at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases along a strandof the dsRNA compound. In certain embodiments, the double-strandedcompound comprises one or more linkages between adjacent nucleotidesother than a naturally-occurring phosphodiester linkage. Examples ofsuch linkages include phosphoramide, phosphorothioate, andphosphorodithioate linkages. The double-stranded compounds may also bechemically modified nucleic acid molecules as taught in U.S. Pat. No.6,673,661. In other embodiments, the dsRNA contains one or two cappedstrands, as disclosed, for example, by WO 00/63364, filed Apr. 19, 2000.In certain embodiments, the first strand of the double-stranded compoundis an siRNA guide strand and the second strand of the double-strandedcompound is an siRNA passenger strand. In certain embodiments, thesecond strand of the double-stranded compound is complementary to thefirst strand. In certain embodiments, each strand of the double-strandedcompound consists of 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, or 23 linkednucleosides.

In certain embodiments, a single-stranded compound described herein cancomprise any of the oligonucleotide sequences targeted to GYS1 describedherein. In certain embodiments, such a single-stranded compound is asingle-stranded RNAi (ssRNAi) compound. In certain embodiments, a ssRNAicompound comprises the nucleobase sequence complementary to a targetregion of a GYS1 nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, the ssRNAicompound comprises ribonucleotides in which uracil (U) is in place ofthymine (T). In certain embodiments, ssRNAi compound comprises anucleobase sequence complementary to a target region of a GYS1 nucleicacid. In certain embodiments, a ssRNAi compound comprises one or moremodified nucleotides in which the 2′ position in the sugar contains ahalogen (such as fluorine group; 2′-F) or contains an alkoxy group (suchas a methoxy group; 2′-OMe). In certain embodiments, a ssRNAi compoundcomprises at least one 2′-F sugar modification and at least one 2′-OMesugar modification. In certain embodiments, the at least one 2′-F sugarmodification and at least one 2′-OMe sugar modification are arranged inan alternating pattern for at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 contiguous nucleobases along a strandof the ssRNAi compound. In certain embodiments, the ssRNAi compoundcomprises one or more linkages between adjacent nucleotides other than anaturally-occurring phosphodiester linkage. Examples of such linkagesinclude phosphoramide, phosphorothioate, and phosphorodithioatelinkages. The ssRNAi compounds may also be chemically modified nucleicacid molecules as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,673,661. In otherembodiments, the ssRNAi contains a capped strand, as disclosed, forexample, by WO 00/63364, filed Apr. 19, 2000. In certain embodiments,the ssRNAi compound consists of 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, or 23 linkednucleosides.

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein comprise modifiedoligonucleotides. Certain modified oligonucleotides have one or moreasymmetric center and thus give rise to enantiomers, diastereomers, andother stereoisomeric configurations that may be defined, in terms ofabsolute stereochemistry, as (R) or (S), as a or β such as for sugaranomers, or as (D) or (L) such as for amino acids etc. Included in themodified oligonucleotides provided herein are all such possible isomers,including their racemic and optically pure forms, unless specifiedotherwise. Likewise, all cis- and trans-isomers and tautomeric forms arealso included.

Certain Mechanisms

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein comprise or consistof modified oligonucleotides. In certain embodiments, compoundsdescribed herein are antisense compounds. In certain embodiments, suchantisense compounds comprise oligomeric compounds. In certainembodiments, compounds described herein are capable of hybridizing to atarget nucleic acid, resulting in at least one antisense activity. Incertain embodiments, compounds described herein selectively affect oneor more target nucleic acid. Such selective compounds comprise anucleobase sequence that hybridizes to one or more target nucleic acid,resulting in one or more desired antisense activity and does nothybridize to one or more non-target nucleic acid or does not hybridizeto one or more non-target nucleic acid in such a way that results in asignificant undesired antisense activity.

In certain antisense activities, hybridization of a compound describedherein to a target nucleic acid results in recruitment of a protein thatcleaves the target nucleic acid. For example, certain compoundsdescribed herein result in RNase H mediated cleavage of the targetnucleic acid. RNase H is a cellular endonuclease that cleaves the RNAstrand of an RNA:DNA duplex. The DNA in such an RNA:DNA duplex need notbe unmodified DNA. In certain embodiments, compounds described hereinare sufficiently “DNA-like” to elicit RNase H activity. Further, incertain embodiments, one or more non-DNA-like nucleoside in the gap of agapmer is tolerated.

In certain antisense activities, compounds described herein or a portionof the compound is loaded into an RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC),ultimately resulting in cleavage of the target nucleic acid. Forexample, certain compounds described herein result in cleavage of thetarget nucleic acid by Argonaute. Compounds that are loaded into RISCare RNAi compounds. RNAi compounds may be double-stranded (siRNA) orsingle-stranded (ssRNA).

In certain embodiments, hybridization of compounds described herein to atarget nucleic acid does not result in recruitment of a protein thatcleaves that target nucleic acid. In certain such embodiments,hybridization of the compound to the target nucleic acid results inalteration of splicing of the target nucleic acid. In certainembodiments, hybridization of the compound to a target nucleic acidresults in inhibition of a binding interaction between the targetnucleic acid and a protein or other nucleic acid. In certain suchembodiments, hybridization of the compound to a target nucleic acidresults in alteration of translation of the target nucleic acid.

Antisense activities may be observed directly or indirectly. In certainembodiments, observation or detection of an antisense activity involvesobservation or detection of a change in an amount of a target nucleicacid or protein encoded by such target nucleic acid, a change in theratio of splice variants of a nucleic acid or protein, and/or aphenotypic change in a cell or animal.

Target Nucleic Acids, Target Regions and Nucleotide Sequences

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein comprise or consistof an oligonucleotide comprising a region that is complementary to atarget nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, the target nucleic acid isan endogenous RNA molecule. In certain such embodiments, the targetnucleic acid is selected from: an mRNA and a pre-mRNA, includingintronic, exonic and untranslated regions. In certain embodiments, thetarget nucleic acid is a pre-mRNA. In certain such embodiments, thetarget region is entirely within an intron. In certain embodiments, thetarget region spans an intron/exon junction. In certain embodiments, thetarget region is at least 50% within an intron.

Human gene sequences that encode GYS1 include, without limitation, thefollowing gene sequences: RefSeqNo. NM_002103.4 (SEQ ID NO: 2),RefSeqNo. NM_001161587.1 (SEQ ID NO: 3), RefSeqNo. NR_027763.1(SEQ IDNO: 4), RefSeqNo. AK303712.1(SEQ ID NO: 5), and the complement ofRefSeqNo. NC_000019.10 truncated from nucleotides 48965001 to 48996000(SEQ ID NO: 6).

Hybridization

In some embodiments, hybridization occurs between a compound disclosedherein and a GYS1 nucleic acid. The most common mechanism ofhybridization involves hydrogen bonding (e.g., Watson-Crick, Hoogsteenor reversed Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding) between complementarynucleobases of the nucleic acid molecules.

Hybridization can occur under varying conditions. Hybridizationconditions are sequence-dependent and are determined by the nature andcomposition of the nucleic acid molecules to be hybridized.

Methods of determining whether a sequence is specifically hybridizableto a target nucleic acid are well known in the art. In certainembodiments, the compounds provided herein are specifically hybridizablewith a GYS1 nucleic acid.

Complementarity

An oligonucleotide is said to be complementary to another nucleic acidwhen the nucleobase sequence of such oligonucleotide or one or moreregions thereof matches the nucleobase sequence of anotheroligonucleotide or nucleic acid or one or more regions thereof when thetwo nucleobase sequences are aligned in opposing directions. Nucleobasematches or complementary nucleobases, as described herein, are limitedto adenine (A) and thymine (T), adenine (A) and uracil (U), cytosine (C)and guanine (G), and 5-methyl cytosine (mC) and guanine (G) unlessotherwise specified. Complementary oligonucleotides and/or nucleic acidsneed not have nucleobase complementarity at each nucleoside and mayinclude one or more nucleobase mismatches. An oligonucleotide is fullycomplementary or 100% complementary when such oligonucleotides havenucleobase matches at each nucleoside without any nucleobase mismatches.

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein comprise or consistof modified oligonucleotides. In certain embodiments, compoundsdescribed herein are antisense compounds. In certain embodiments,compounds comprise oligomeric compounds. Non-complementary nucleobasesbetween a compound and a GYS1 nucleic acid may be tolerated providedthat the compound remains able to specifically hybridize to a targetnucleic acid. Moreover, a compound may hybridize over one or moresegments of a GYS1 nucleic acid such that intervening or adjacentsegments are not involved in the hybridization event (e.g., a loopstructure, mismatch or hairpin structure).

In certain embodiments, the compounds provided herein, or a specifiedportion thereof, are, or are at least, 70%, 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%,89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%complementary to a GYS1 nucleic acid, a target region, target segment,or specified portion thereof. Percent complementarity of a compound witha target nucleic acid can be determined using routine methods.

For example, a compound in which 18 of 20 nucleobases of the compoundare complementary to a target region, and would therefore specificallyhybridize, would represent 90 percent complementarity. In this example,the remaining non-complementary nucleobases may be clustered orinterspersed with complementary nucleobases and need not be contiguousto each other or to complementary nucleobases. As such, a compound whichis 18 nucleobases in length having four non-complementary nucleobaseswhich are flanked by two regions of complete complementarity with thetarget nucleic acid would have 77.8% overall complementarity with thetarget nucleic acid and would thus fall within the scope of the presentinvention. Percent complementarity of a compound with a region of atarget nucleic acid can be determined routinely using BLAST programs(basic local alignment search tools) and PowerBLAST programs known inthe art (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol., 1990, 215, 403 410; Zhang andMadden, Genome Res., 1997, 7, 649 656).

Percent homology, sequence identity or complementarity, can bedetermined by, for example, the Gap program (Wisconsin Sequence AnalysisPackage, Version 8 for Unix, Genetics Computer Group, UniversityResearch Park, Madison Wis.), using default settings, which uses thealgorithm of Smith and Waterman (Adv. Appl. Math., 1981, 2, 482 489).

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein, or specifiedportions thereof, are fully complementary (i.e. 100% complementary) to atarget nucleic acid, or specified portion thereof. For example, acompound may be fully complementary to a GYS1 nucleic acid, or a targetregion, or a target segment or target sequence thereof. As used herein,“fully complementary” means each nucleobase of a compound is capable ofprecise base pairing with the corresponding nucleobases of a targetnucleic acid. For example, a 20 nucleobase compound is fullycomplementary to a target sequence that is 400 nucleobases long, so longas there is a corresponding 20 nucleobase portion of the target nucleicacid that is fully complementary to the compound. Fully complementarycan also be used in reference to a specified portion of the first and/orthe second nucleic acid. For example, a 20 nucleobase portion of a 30nucleobase compound can be “fully complementary” to a target sequencethat is 400 nucleobases long. The 20 nucleobase portion of the 30nucleobase compound is fully complementary to the target sequence if thetarget sequence has a corresponding 20 nucleobase portion wherein eachnucleobase is complementary to the 20 nucleobase portion of thecompound. At the same time, the entire 30 nucleobase compound may or maynot be fully complementary to the target sequence, depending on whetherthe remaining 10 nucleobases of the compound are also complementary tothe target sequence.

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein comprise one or moremismatched nucleobases relative to the target nucleic acid. In certainsuch embodiments, antisense activity against the target is reduced bysuch mismatch, but activity against a non-target is reduced by a greateramount. Thus, in certain such embodiments selectivity of the compound isimproved. In certain embodiments, the mismatch is specificallypositioned within an oligonucleotide having a gapmer motif. In certainsuch embodiments, the mismatch is at position 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8from the 5′-end of the gap region. In certain such embodiments, themismatch is at position 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 from the 3′-end of thegap region. In certain such embodiments, the mismatch is at position 1,2, 3, or 4 from the 5′-end of the wing region. In certain suchembodiments, the mismatch is at position 4, 3, 2, or 1 from the 3′-endof the wing region. In certain embodiments, the mismatch is specificallypositioned within an oligonucleotide not having a gapmer motif. Incertain such embodiments, the mismatch is at position 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 from the 5′-end of the oligonucleotide. Incertain such embodiments, the mismatch is at position, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 from the 3′-end of the oligonucleotide.

The location of a non-complementary nucleobase may be at the 5′ end or3′ end of the compound. Alternatively, the non-complementary nucleobaseor nucleobases may be at an internal position of the compound. When twoor more non-complementary nucleobases are present, they may becontiguous (i.e. linked) or non-contiguous. In one embodiment, anon-complementary nucleobase is located in the wing segment of a gapmeroligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein that are, or are upto 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 nucleobases in lengthcomprise no more than 4, no more than 3, no more than 2, or no more than1 non-complementary nucleobase(s) relative to a target nucleic acid,such as a GYS1 nucleic acid, or specified portion thereof.

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein that are, or are upto 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27,28, 29, or 30 nucleobases in length comprise no more than 6, no morethan 5, no more than 4, no more than 3, no more than 2, or no more than1 non-complementary nucleobase(s) relative to a target nucleic acid,such as a GYS1 nucleic acid, or specified portion thereof.

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein also include thosewhich are complementary to a portion of a target nucleic acid. As usedherein, “portion” refers to a defined number of contiguous (i.e. linked)nucleobases within a region or segment of a target nucleic acid. A“portion” can also refer to a defined number of contiguous nucleobasesof a compound. In certain embodiments, the compounds are complementaryto at least an 8 nucleobase portion of a target segment. In certainembodiments, the compounds are complementary to at least a 9 nucleobaseportion of a target segment. In certain embodiments, the compounds arecomplementary to at least a 10 nucleobase portion of a target segment.In certain embodiments, the compounds are complementary to at least an11 nucleobase portion of a target segment. In certain embodiments, thecompounds are complementary to at least a 12 nucleobase portion of atarget segment. In certain embodiments, the compounds are complementaryto at least a 13 nucleobase portion of a target segment. In certainembodiments, the compounds are complementary to at least a 14 nucleobaseportion of a target segment. In certain embodiments, the compounds arecomplementary to at least a 15 nucleobase portion of a target segment.In certain embodiments, the compounds are complementary to at least a 16nucleobase portion of a target segment. Also contemplated are compoundsthat are complementary to at least a 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18, 19, 20, or more nucleobase portion of a target segment, or a rangedefined by any two of these values.

Identity

The compounds provided herein may also have a defined percent identityto a particular nucleotide sequence, SEQ ID NO, or compound representedby a specific Isis number, or portion thereof. In certain embodiments,compounds described herein are antisense compounds or oligomericcompounds. In certain embodiments, compounds described herein aremodified oligonucleotides. As used herein, a compound is identical tothe sequence disclosed herein if it has the same nucleobase pairingability. For example, a RNA which contains uracil in place of thymidinein a disclosed DNA sequence would be considered identical to the DNAsequence since both uracil and thymidine pair with adenine. Shortenedand lengthened versions of the compounds described herein as well ascompounds having non-identical bases relative to the compounds providedherein also are contemplated. The non-identical bases may be adjacent toeach other or dispersed throughout the compound. Percent identity of ancompound is calculated according to the number of bases that haveidentical base pairing relative to the sequence to which it is beingcompared.

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein, or portions thereof,are, or are at least, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%,96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to one or more of the compounds orSEQ ID NOs, or a portion thereof, disclosed herein. In certainembodiments, compounds described herein are about 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%,90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical, or anypercentage between such values, to a particular nucleotide sequence, SEQID NO, or compound represented by a specific Isis number, or portionthereof, in which the compounds comprise an oligonucleotide having oneor more mismatched nucleobases. In certain such embodiments, themismatch is at position 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 fromthe 5′-end of the oligonucleotide. In certain such embodiments, themismatch is at position 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 from the3′-end of the oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein are antisensecompounds. In certain embodiments, a portion of the compound is comparedto an equal length portion of the target nucleic acid. In certainembodiments, an 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21,22, 23, 24, or 25 nucleobase portion is compared to an equal lengthportion of the target nucleic acid.

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein are oligonucleotides.In certain embodiments, a portion of the oligonucleotide is compared toan equal length portion of the target nucleic acid. In certainembodiments, an 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21,22, 23, 24, or 25 nucleobase portion is compared to an equal lengthportion of the target nucleic acid.

Certain Modified Compounds

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein comprise or consistof oligonucleotides consisting of linked nucleosides. Oligonucleotidesmay be unmodified oligonucleotides (RNA or DNA) or may be modifiedoligonucleotides. Modified oligonucleotides comprise at least onemodification relative to unmodified RNA or DNA (i.e., comprise at leastone modified nucleoside (comprising a modified sugar moiety and/or amodified nucleobase) and/or at least one modified internucleosidelinkage).

A. Modified Nucleosides

Modified nucleosides comprise a modified sugar moiety or a modifiednucleobase or both a modified sugar moiety and a modified nucleobase.

1. Modified Sugar Moieties

In certain embodiments, sugar moieties are non-bicyclic modified sugarmoieties. In certain embodiments, modified sugar moieties are bicyclicor tricyclic sugar moieties. In certain embodiments, modified sugarmoieties are sugar surrogates. Such sugar surrogates may comprise one ormore substitutions corresponding to those of other types of modifiedsugar moieties.

In certain embodiments, modified sugar moieties are non-bicyclicmodified sugar moieties comprising a furanosyl ring with one or moreacyclic substituent, including but not limited to substituents at the2′, 4′, and/or 5′ positions. In certain embodiments one or more acyclicsubstituent of non-bicyclic modified sugar moieties is branched.Examples of 2′-substituent groups suitable for non-bicyclic modifiedsugar moieties include but are not limited to: 2′-F, 2′-OCH₃(“OMe” or“O-methyl”), and 2′-O(CH₂)₂OCH₃ (“MOE”). In certain embodiments,2′-substituent groups are selected from among: halo, allyl, amino,azido, SH, CN, OCN, CF₃, OCF₃, alkoxy, O—C₁-C₁₀ substituted alkoxy,O—C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, O—C₁-C₁₀ substituted alkyl, S-alkyl, N(R_(m))-alkyl,O-alkenyl, S-alkenyl, N(R_(m))-alkenyl, O-alkynyl, S-alkynyl,N(R_(m))-alkynyl, O-alkylenyl-O-alkyl, alkynyl, alkaryl, aralkyl,O-alkaryl, O-aralkyl, O(CH₂)₂SCH₃, O(CH₂)₂ON(R_(m))(R_(n)) orOCH₂C(═O)—N(R_(m))(R_(n)), where each R_(m) and R_(n) is, independently,H, an amino protecting group, or substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀alkyl, and the 2′-substituent groups described in Cook et al., U.S. Pat.No. 6,531,584; Cook et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,859,221; and Cook et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 6,005,087. Certain embodiments of these 2′-substituentgroups can be further substituted with one or more substituent groupsindependently selected from among: hydroxyl, amino, alkoxy, carboxy,benzyl, phenyl, nitro (NO₂), thiol, thioalkoxy, thioalkyl, halogen,alkyl, aryl, alkenyl and alkynyl. Examples of 4′-substituent groupssuitable for linearly non-bicyclic modified sugar moieties include butare not limited to alkoxy (e.g., methoxy), alkyl, and those described inManoharan et al., WO 2015/106128. Examples of 5′-substituent groupssuitable for non-bicyclic modified sugar moieties include but are notlimited to: 5′-methyl (R or S), 5′-vinyl, and 5′-methoxy. In certainembodiments, non-bicyclic modified sugars comprise more than onenon-bridging sugar substituent, for example, 2′-F-5′-methyl sugarmoieties and the modified sugar moieties and modified nucleosidesdescribed in Migawa et al., WO 2008/101157 and Rajeev et al.,US2013/0203836.

In certain embodiments, a 2′-substituted nucleoside or 2′-non-bicyclicmodified nucleoside comprises a sugar moiety comprising a linear2′-substituent group selected from: F, NH₂, N₃, OCF₃, OCH₃, O(CH₂)₃NH₂,CH₂CH═CH₂, OCH₂CH═CH₂, OCH₂CH₂OCH₃, O(CH₂)₂SCH₃,O(CH₂)₂ON(R_(m))(R_(n)), O(CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂N(CH₃)₂, and N-substitutedacetamide (OCH₂C(═O)—N(R_(m))(R_(n))), where each R_(m) and R_(n) is,independently, H, an amino protecting group, or substituted orunsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl.

In certain embodiments, a 2′-substituted nucleoside or 2′-non-bicyclicmodified nucleoside comprises a sugar moiety comprising a linear2′-substituent group selected from: F, OCF₃, OCH₃, OCH₂CH₂OCH₃,O(CH₂)₂SCH₃, O(CH₂)₂ON(CH₃)₂, O(CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂N(CH₃)₂, andOCH₂C(═O)—N(H)CH₃ (“NMA”).

In certain embodiments, a 2′-substituted nucleoside or 2′-non-bicyclicmodified nucleoside comprises a sugar moiety comprising a linear2′-substituent group selected from: F, OCH₃, and OCH₂CH₂OCH₃.

Nucleosides comprising modified sugar moieties, such as non-bicyclicmodified sugar moieties, are referred to by the position(s) of thesubstitution(s) on the sugar moiety of the nucleoside. For example,nucleosides comprising 2′-substituted or 2-modified sugar moieties arereferred to as 2′-substituted nucleosides or 2-modified nucleosides.

Certain modified sugar moieties comprise a bridging sugar substituentthat forms a second ring resulting in a bicyclic sugar moiety. Incertain such embodiments, the bicyclic sugar moiety comprises a bridgebetween the 4′ and the 2′ furanose ring atoms. Examples of such 4′ to 2′bridging sugar substituents include but are not limited to: 4′-CH₂-2′,4′-(CH₂)₂-2′, 4′-(CH₂)₃-2′, 4′-CH₂—O-2′ (“LNA”), 4′-CH₂—S-2′,4′-(CH₂)₂—O-2′ (“ENA”), 4′-CH(CH₃)—O-2′ (referred to as “constrainedethyl” or “cEt” when in the S configuration), 4′-CH₂—O—CH₂-2′,4′-CH₂—N(R)-2′, 4′-CH(CH₂OCH₃)—O-2′ (“constrained MOE” or “cMOE”) andanalogs thereof (see, e.g., Seth et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,399,845, Bhatet al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,569,686, Swayze et al., U.S. 7,741,457, andSwayze et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,022,193), 4′-C(CH₃)(CH₃)—O-2′ and analogsthereof (see, e.g., Seth et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,278,283),4′-CH₂—N(OCH₃)-2′ and analogs thereof (see, e.g., Prakash et al., U.S.Pat. No. 8,278,425), 4′-CH₂—O—N(CH₃)-2′ (see, e.g., Allerson et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 7,696,345 and Allerson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,124,745),4′-CH₂—C(H)(CH₃)-2′ (see, e.g., Zhou, et al., J. Org. Chem., 2009, 74,118-134), 4′-CH₂—C(═CH₂)-2′ and analogs thereof (see e.g., Seth et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 8,278,426), 4′-C(R_(a)R_(b))—N(R)—O-2′,4′-C(R_(a)R_(b))—O—N(R)-2′, 4′-CH₂—O—N(R)-2′, and 4′-CH₂—N(R)—O-2′,wherein each R, R_(a), and R_(b) is, independently, H, a protectinggroup, or C₁-C₁₂ alkyl (see, e.g. Imanishi et al., U.S. Pat. No.7,427,672).

In certain embodiments, such 4′ to 2′ bridges independently comprisefrom 1 to 4 linked groups independently selected from:—[C(R_(a))(R_(b))]_(n)—, —[C(R_(a))(R_(b))]_(n)—O—, —C(R_(a))═C(R_(b))—,—C(R_(a))═N—, —C(═NR_(a))—, —C(═O)—, —C(═S)—, —O—, —Si(R_(a))₂—,—S(═O)_(x)—, and —N(R_(a))—;

-   -   wherein:    -   x is 0, 1, or 2;    -   n is 1, 2, 3, or 4;

each R_(a) and R_(b) is, independently, H, a protecting group, hydroxyl,C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, substituted C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl, substitutedC₂-C₁₂ alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂ alkynyl, substituted C₂-C₁₂ alkynyl, C₅-C₂₀ aryl,substituted C₅-C₂₀ aryl, heterocycle radical, substituted heterocycleradical, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, C₅-C₇ alicyclic radical,substituted C₅-C₇ alicyclic radical, halogen, OJ₁, NJ₁J₂, SJ₁, N₃,COOJ₁, acyl (C(═O)—H), substituted acyl, CN, sulfonyl (S(═O)₂-J₁), orsulfoxyl (S(═O)-J₁); and each J₁ and J₂ is, independently, H, C₁-C₁₂alkyl, substituted C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl, substituted C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₁₂ alkynyl, substituted C₂-C₁₂ alkynyl, C₅-C₂₀ aryl,substituted C₅-C₂₀ aryl, acyl (C(═O)—H), substituted acyl, a heterocycleradical, a substituted heterocycle radical, C₁-C₁₂ aminoalkyl,substituted C₁-C₁₂ aminoalkyl, or a protecting group.

Additional bicyclic sugar moieties are known in the art, see, forexample: Freier et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 1997, 25(22), 4429-4443,Albaek et al., J. Org. Chem., 2006, 71, 7731-7740, Singh et al., Chem.Commun., 1998, 4, 455-456; Koshkin et al., Tetrahedron, 1998, 54,3607-3630; Wahlestedt et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U S. A., 2000, 97,5633-5638; Kumar et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., 1998, 8, 2219-2222;Singh et al., J. Org. Chem., 1998, 63, 10035-10039; Srivastava et al.,J. Am. Chem. Soc., 20017, 129, 8362-8379; Elayadi et al., Curr. OpinionInvens. Drugs, 2001, 2, 558-561; Braasch et al., Chem. Biol., 2001, 8,1-7; Orum et al., Curr. Opinion Mol. Ther., 2001, 3, 239-243; Wengel etal., U.S. Pat. No. 7,053,207, Imanishi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,268,490,Imanishi et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,770,748, Imanishi et al., U.S. RE44,779;Wengel et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,794,499, Wengel et al., U.S. Pat. No.6,670,461; Wengel et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,034,133, Wengel et al., U.S.Pat. No. 8,080,644; Wengel et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,034,909; Wengel etal., U.S. Pat. No. 8,153,365; Wengel et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,572,582;and Ramasamy et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,525,191, Torsten et al., WO2004/106356, Wengel et al., WO 91999/014226; Seth et al., WO2007/134181; Seth et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,547,684; Seth et al., U.S.Pat. No. 7,666,854; Seth et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,088,746; Seth et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 7,750,131; Seth et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,030,467; Seth etal., U.S. Pat. No. 8,268,980; Seth et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,546,556; Sethet al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,530,640; Migawa et al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,012,421;Seth et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,501,805; and U.S. Patent Publication Nos.Allerson et al., US2008/0039618 and Migawa et al., US2015/0191727.

In certain embodiments, bicyclic sugar moieties and nucleosidesincorporating such bicyclic sugar moieties are further defined byisomeric configuration. For example, an LNA nucleoside (describedherein) may be in the α-L configuration or in the β-D configuration.

α-L-methyleneoxy (4′-CH₂—O-2′) or α-L-LNA bicyclic nucleosides have beenincorporated into oligonucleotides that showed antisense activity(Frieden et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 2003, 21, 6365-6372). Herein,general descriptions of bicyclic nucleosides include both isomericconfigurations. When the positions of specific bicyclic nucleosides(e.g., LNA or cEt) are identified in exemplified embodiments herein,they are in the β-D configuration, unless otherwise specified.

In certain embodiments, modified sugar moieties comprise one or morenon-bridging sugar substituent and one or more bridging sugarsubstituent (e.g., 5′-substituted and 4′-2′ bridged sugars).

In certain embodiments, modified sugar moieties are sugar surrogates. Incertain such embodiments, the oxygen atom of the sugar moiety isreplaced, e.g., with a sulfur, carbon or nitrogen atom. In certain suchembodiments, such modified sugar moieties also comprise bridging and/ornon-bridging substituents as described herein. For example, certainsugar surrogates comprise a 4′-sulfur atom and a substitution at the2′-position (see, e.g., Bhat et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,875,733 and Bhat etal., U.S. Pat. No. 7,939,677) and/or the 5′ position.

In certain embodiments, sugar surrogates comprise rings having otherthan 5 atoms. For example, in certain embodiments, a sugar surrogatecomprises a six-membered tetrahydropyran (“THP”). Such tetrahydropyransmay be further modified or substituted. Nucleosides comprising suchmodified tetrahydropyrans include but are not limited to hexitol nucleicacid (“HNA”), anitol nucleic acid (“ANA”), manitol nucleic acid (“MNA”)(see e.g., Leumann, C J. Bioorg. & Med. Chem. 2002, 10, 841-854), fluoroHNA:

(“F-HNA”, see e.g., Swayze et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,088,904; Swayze etal., U.S. Pat. No. 8,440,803; Swayze et al., U.S.; and Swayze et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 9,005,906, F-HNA can also be referred to as a F-THP or3′-fluoro tetrahydropyran), and nucleosides comprising additionalmodified THP compounds having the formula:

wherein, independently, for each of said modified THP nucleoside: Bx isa nucleobase moiety; T₃ and T₄ are each, independently, aninternucleoside linking group linking the modified THP nucleoside to theremainder of an oligonucleotide or one of T₃ and T₄ is aninternucleoside linking group linking the modified THP nucleoside to theremainder of an oligonucleotide and the other of T₃ and T₄ is H, ahydroxyl protecting group, a linked conjugate group, or a 5′ or3′-terminal group; q₁, q₂, q₃, q₄, q₅, q₆ and q₇ are each,independently, H, C₁-C₆ alkyl, substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl,substituted C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, or substituted C₂-C₆ alkynyl;and each of R₁ and R₂ is independently selected from among: hydrogen,halogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, NJ₁J₂, SJ₁, N₃, OC(═X)J₁,OC(═X)NJ₁J₂, NJ₃C(═X)NJ₁J₂, and CN, wherein X is O, S or NJ₁, and eachJ₁, J₂, and J₃ is, independently, H or C₁-C₆ alkyl.

In certain embodiments, modified THP nucleosides are provided whereinq₁, q₂, q₃, q₄, q₅, q₆ and q₇ are each H. In certain embodiments, atleast one of q₁, q₂, q₃, q₄, q₅, q₆ and q₇ is other than H. In certainembodiments, at least one of q₁, q₂, q₃, q₄, q₅, q₆ and q₇ is methyl. Incertain embodiments, modified THP nucleosides are provided wherein oneof R₁ and R₂ is F. In certain embodiments, R₁ is F and R₂ is H, incertain embodiments, R₁ is methoxy and R₂ is H, and in certainembodiments, R₁ is methoxyethoxy and R₂ is H.

In certain embodiments, sugar surrogates comprise rings having more than5 atoms and more than one heteroatom. For example, nucleosidescomprising morpholino sugar moieties and their use in oligonucleotideshave been reported (see, e.g., Braasch et al., Biochemistry, 2002, 41,4503-4510 and Summerton et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,698,685; Summerton etal., U.S. Pat. No. 5,166,315; Summerton et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,444;and Summerton et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,506). As used here, the term“morpholino” means a sugar surrogate having the following structure:

In certain embodiments, morpholinos may be modified, for example byadding or altering various substituent groups from the above morpholinostructure. Such sugar surrogates are referred to herein as “modifiedmorpholinos.”

In certain embodiments, sugar surrogates comprise acyclic moieties.Examples of nucleosides and oligonucleotides comprising such acyclicsugar surrogates include but are not limited to: peptide nucleic acid(“PNA”), acyclic butyl nucleic acid (see, e.g., Kumar et al., Org.Biomol. Chem., 2013, 11, 5853-5865), and nucleosides andoligonucleotides described in Manoharan et al., WO2011/133876.

Many other bicyclic and tricyclic sugar and sugar surrogate ring systemsare known in the art that can be used in modified nucleosides.

2. Modified Nucleobases

Nucleobase (or base) modifications or substitutions are structurallydistinguishable from, yet functionally interchangeable with, naturallyoccurring or synthetic unmodified nucleobases. Both natural and modifiednucleobases are capable of participating in hydrogen bonding. Suchnucleobase modifications can impart nuclease stability, binding affinityor some other beneficial biological property to compounds describedherein.

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein comprise modifiedoligonucleotides. In certain embodiments, modified oligonucleotidescomprise one or more nucleoside comprising an unmodified nucleobase. Incertain embodiments, modified oligonucleotides comprise one or morenucleoside comprising a modified nucleobase. In certain embodiments,modified oligonucleotides comprise one or more nucleoside that does notcomprise a nucleobase, referred to as an abasic nucleoside.

In certain embodiments, modified nucleobases are selected from:5-substituted pyrimidines, 6-azapyrimi¬dines, alkyl or alkynylsubstituted pyrimidines, alkyl substituted purines, and N-2, N-6 and O-6substituted purines. In certain embodiments, modified nucleobases areselected from: 2-aminopropyladenine, 5-hydroxymethyl cytosine,5-methylcytosine, xanthine, hypoxanthine, 2-aminoadenine,6-N-methylguanine, 6-N-methyladenine, 2-propyladenine, 2-thiouracil,2-thiothymine and 2-thiocytosine, 5-propynyl (C≡C-CH3) uracil,5-propynylcytosine, 6-azouracil, 6-azocytosine, 6-azothymine,5-ribosyluracil (pseudouracil), 4-thiouracil, 8-halo, 8-amino, 8-thiol,8-thioalkyl, 8-hydroxyl, 8-aza and other 8-substituted purines, 5-halo,particularly 5-bromo, 5-trifluoromethyl, 5-halouracil, and5-halocytosine, 7-methylguanine, 7-methyladenine, 2-F-adenine,2-aminoadenine, 7-deazaguanine, 7-deazaadenine, 3-deazaguanine,3-deazaadenine, 6-N-benzoyladenine, 2-N-isobutyrylguanine,4-N-benzoylcytosine, 4-N-benzoyluracil, 5-methyl 4-N-benzoylcytosine,5-methyl 4-N-benzoyluracil, universal bases, hydrophobic bases,promiscuous bases, size-expanded bases, and fluorinated bases. Furthermodified nucleobases include tricyclic pyrimidines, such as1,3-diazaphenoxazine-2-one, 1,3-diazaphenothiazine-2-one and9-(2-aminoethoxy)-1,3-diazaphenoxazine-2-one (G-clamp). Modifiednucleobases may also include those in which the purine or pyrimidinebase is replaced with other heterocycles, for example 7-deaza-adenine,7-deazaguanosine, 2-aminopyridine and 2-pyridone. Further nucleobasesinclude those disclosed in Merigan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,808,those disclosed in The Concise Encyclopedia Of Polymer Science AndEngineering, Kroschwitz, J. I., Ed., John Wiley & Sons, 1990, 858-859;Englisch et al., Angewandte Chemie, International Edition, 1991, 30,613; Sanghvi, Y. S., Chapter 15, Antisense Research and Applications,Crooke, S. T. and Lebleu, B., Eds., CRC Press, 1993, 273-288; and thosedisclosed in Chapters 6 and 15, Antisense Drug Technology, Crooke S. T.,Ed., CRC Press, 2008, 163-166 and 442-443.

Publications that teach the preparation of certain of the above notedmodified nucleobases as well as other modified nucleobases includewithout limitation, Manoharan et al., US2003/0158403, Manoharan et al.,US2003/0175906; Dinh et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,205; Spielvogel et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,302; Rogers et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,066;Bischofberger et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,175,273; Urdea et al., U.S. Pat.No. 5,367,066; Benner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,272; Matteucci et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,257; Gmeiner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,187; Cooket al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,255; Froehler et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,484,908; Matteucci et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,502,177; Hawkins et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,711; Haralambidis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,552,540;Cook et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,587,469; Froehler et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,594,121; Switzer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,091; Cook et al., U.S.Pat. No. 5,614,617; Froehler et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,985; Cook etal., U.S. Pat. No. 5,681,941; Cook et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,811,534; Cooket al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,692; Cook et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,948,903;Cook et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,587,470; Cook et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,457,191; Matteucci et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,588; Froehler et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,653; Cook et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,808,027; Cook etal., U.S. Pat. No. 6,166,199; and Matteucci et al., U.S. Pat. No.6,005,096.

In certain embodiments, compounds targeted to a GYS1 nucleic acidcomprise one or more modified nucleobases. In certain embodiments, themodified nucleobase is 5-methylcytosine. In certain embodiments, eachcytosine is a 5-methylcytosine.

Modified Internucleoside Linkages

The naturally occurring internucleoside linkage of RNA and DNA is a 3′to 5′ phosphodiester linkage. In certain embodiments, compoundsdescribed herein having one or more modified, i.e. non-naturallyoccurring, internucleoside linkages are often selected over compoundshaving naturally occurring internucleoside linkages because of desirableproperties such as, for example, enhanced cellular uptake, enhancedaffinity for target nucleic acids, and increased stability in thepresence of nucleases.

In certain embodiments, compounds targeted to a GYS1 nucleic acidcomprise one or more modified internucleoside linkages. In certainembodiments, the modified internucleoside linkages are phosphorothioatelinkages. In certain embodiments, each internucleoside linkage of thecompound is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage.

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein compriseoligonucleotides. Oligonucleotides having modified internucleosidelinkages include internucleoside linkages that retain a phosphorus atomas well as internucleoside linkages that do not have a phosphorus atom.Representative phosphorus containing internucleoside linkages include,but are not limited to, phosphodiesters, phosphotriesters,methylphosphonates, phosphoramidate, and phosphorothioates. Methods ofpreparation of phosphorous-containing and non-phosphorous-containinglinkages are well known.

In certain embodiments, nucleosides of modified oligonucleotides may belinked together using any internucleoside linkage. The two main classesof internucleoside linking groups are defined by the presence or absenceof a phosphorus atom. Representative phosphorus-containinginternucleoside linkages include but are not limited to phosphates,which contain a phosphodiester bond (“P═O”) (also referred to asunmodified or naturally occurring linkages), phosphotriesters,methylphosphonates, phosphoramidates, and phosphorothioates (“P═S”), andphosphorodithioates (“HS—P═S”). Representative non-phosphorus containinginternucleoside linking groups include but are not limited tomethylenemethylimino (—CH2-N(CH3)-O—CH2-), thiodiester, thionocarbamate(—O—C(═O)(NH)—S—); siloxane (—O—SiH2-O—); and N,N′-dimethylhydrazine(—CH2-N(CH3)-N(CH3)-). Modified internucleoside linkages, compared tonaturally occurring phosphate linkages, can be used to alter, typicallyincrease, nuclease resistance of the oligonucleotide. In certainembodiments, internucleoside linkages having a chiral atom can beprepared as a racemic mixture, or as separate enantiomers.Representative chiral internucleoside linkages include but are notlimited to alkylphosphonates and phosphorothioates. Methods ofpreparation of phosphorous-containing and non-phosphorous-containinginternucleoside linkages are well known to those skilled in the art.

Neutral internucleoside linkages include, without limitation,phosphotriesters, methylphosphonates, MMI (3′-CH2-N(CH3)-O-5′), amide-3(3′-CH2-C(═O)—N(H)-5′), amide-4 (3′-CH2-N(H)—C(═O)-5′), formacetal(3′-O-CH2-O-5′), methoxypropyl, and thioformacetal (3′-S-CH2-O-5′).Further neutral internucleoside linkages include nonionic linkagescomprising siloxane (dialkylsiloxane), carboxylate ester, carboxamide,sulfide, sulfonate ester and amides (See for example: CarbohydrateModifications in Antisense Research; Y. S. Sanghvi and P. D. Cook, Eds.,ACS Symposium Series 580; Chapters 3 and 4, 40-65). Further neutralinternucleoside linkages include nonionic linkages comprising mixed N,O, S and CH2 component parts.

In certain embodiments, oligonucleotides comprise modifiedinternucleoside linkages arranged along the oligonucleotide or regionthereof in a defined pattern or modified internucleoside linkage motif.In certain embodiments, internucleoside linkages are arranged in agapped motif. In such embodiments, the internucleoside linkages in eachof two wing regions are different from the internucleoside linkages inthe gap region. In certain embodiments the internucleoside linkages inthe wings are phosphodiester and the internucleoside linkages in the gapare phosphorothioate. The nucleoside motif is independently selected, sosuch oligonucleotides having a gapped internucleoside linkage motif mayor may not have a gapped nucleoside motif and if it does have a gappednucleoside motif, the wing and gap lengths may or may not be the same.

In certain embodiments, oligonucleotides comprise a region having analternating internucleoside linkage motif. In certain embodiments,oligonucleotides of the present invention comprise a region of uniformlymodified internucleoside linkages. In certain such embodiments, theoligonucleotide comprises a region that is uniformly linked byphosphorothioate internucleoside linkages. In certain embodiments, theoligonucleotide is uniformly linked by phosphorothioate. In certainembodiments, each internucleoside linkage of the oligonucleotide isselected from phosphodiester and phosphorothioate. In certainembodiments, each internucleoside linkage of the oligonucleotide isselected from phosphodiester and phosphorothioate and at least oneinternucleoside linkage is phosphorothioate.

In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide comprises at least 6phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages. In certain embodiments, theoligonucleotide comprises at least 8 phosphorothioate internucleosidelinkages. In certain embodiments, the oligonucleotide comprises at least10 phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages. In certain embodiments,the oligonucleotide comprises at least one block of at least 6consecutive phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages. In certainembodiments, the oligonucleotide comprises at least one block of atleast 8 consecutive phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages. Incertain embodiments, the oligonucleotide comprises at least one block ofat least 10 consecutive phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages. Incertain embodiments, the oligonucleotide comprises at least block of atleast one 12 consecutive phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages. Incertain such embodiments, at least one such block is located at the 3′end of the oligonucleotide. In certain such embodiments, at least onesuch block is located within 3 nucleosides of the 3′ end of theoligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, oligonucleotides comprise one or moremethylphosponate linkages. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotideshaving a gapmer nucleoside motif comprise a linkage motif comprising allphosphorothioate linkages except for one or two methylphosponatelinkages. In certain embodiments, one methylphosponate linkage is in thecentral gap of an oligonucleotide having a gapmer nucleoside motif.

In certain embodiments, it is desirable to arrange the number ofphosphorothioate internucleoside linkages and phosphodiesterinternucleoside linkages to maintain nuclease resistance. In certainembodiments, it is desirable to arrange the number and position ofphosphorothioate internucleoside linkages and the number and position ofphosphodiester internucleoside linkages to maintain nuclease resistance.In certain embodiments, the number of phosphorothioate internucleosidelinkages may be decreased and the number of phosphodiesterinternucleoside linkages may be increased. In certain embodiments, thenumber of phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages may be decreased andthe number of phosphodiester internucleoside linkages may be increasedwhile still maintaining nuclease resistance. In certain embodiments itis desirable to decrease the number of phosphorothioate internucleosidelinkages while retaining nuclease resistance. In certain embodiments itis desirable to increase the number of phosphodiester internucleosidelinkages while retaining nuclease resistance.

B. Certain Motifs

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein compriseoligonucleotides. Oligonucleotides can have a motif, e.g. a pattern ofunmodified and/or modified sugar moieties, nucleobases, and/orinternucleoside linkages. In certain embodiments, modifiedoligonucleotides comprise one or more modified nucleoside comprising amodified sugar. In certain embodiments, modified oligonucleotidescomprise one or more modified nucleosides comprising a modifiednucleobase. In certain embodiments, modified oligonucleotides compriseone or more modified internucleoside linkage. In such embodiments, themodified, unmodified, and differently modified sugar moieties,nucleobases, and/or internucleoside linkages of a modifiedoligonucleotide define a pattern or motif. In certain embodiments, thepatterns of sugar moieties, nucleobases, and internucleoside linkagesare each independent of one another. Thus, a modified oligonucleotidemay be described by its sugar motif, nucleobase motif and/orinternucleoside linkage motif (as used herein, nucleobase motifdescribes the modifications to the nucleobases independent of thesequence of nucleobases).

1. Certain Sugar Motifs

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein compriseoligonucleotides. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotides comprise oneor more type of modified sugar and/or unmodified sugar moiety arrangedalong the oligonucleotide or region thereof in a defined pattern orsugar motif. In certain instances, such sugar motifs include but are notlimited to any of the sugar modifications discussed herein.

In certain embodiments, modified oligonucleotides comprise or consist ofa region having a gapmer motif, which comprises two external regions or“wings” and a central or internal region or “gap.” The three regions ofa gapmer motif (the 5′-wing, the gap, and the 3′-wing) form a contiguoussequence of nucleosides wherein at least some of the sugar moieties ofthe nucleosides of each of the wings differ from at least some of thesugar moieties of the nucleosides of the gap. Specifically, at least thesugar moieties of the nucleosides of each wing that are closest to thegap (the 3′-most nucleoside of the 5′-wing and the 5′-most nucleoside ofthe 3′-wing) differ from the sugar moiety of the neighboring gapnucleosides, thus defining the boundary between the wings and the gap(i.e., the wing/gap junction). In certain embodiments, the sugarmoieties within the gap are the same as one another. In certainembodiments, the gap includes one or more nucleoside having a sugarmoiety that differs from the sugar moiety of one or more othernucleosides of the gap. In certain embodiments, the sugar motifs of thetwo wings are the same as one another (symmetric gapmer). In certainembodiments, the sugar motif of the 5′-wing differs from the sugar motifof the 3′-wing (asymmetric gapmer).

In certain embodiments, the wings of a gapmer comprise 1-5 nucleosides.In certain embodiments, the wings of a gapmer comprise 2-5 nucleosides.In certain embodiments, the wings of a gapmer comprise 3-5 nucleosides.In certain embodiments, the nucleosides of a gapmer are all modifiednucleosides.

In certain embodiments, the gap of a gapmer comprises 7-12 nucleosides.In certain embodiments, the gap of a gapmer comprises 7-10 nucleosides.In certain embodiments, the gap of a gapmer comprises 8-10 nucleosides.In certain embodiments, the gap of a gapmer comprises 10 nucleosides. Incertain embodiment, each nucleoside of the gap of a gapmer is anunmodified 2′-deoxy nucleoside.

In certain embodiments, the gapmer is a deoxy gapmer. In suchembodiments, the nucleosides on the gap side of each wing/gap junctionare unmodified 2′-deoxy nucleosides and the nucleosides on the wingsides of each wing/gap junction are modified nucleosides. In certainsuch embodiments, each nucleoside of the gap is an unmodified 2′-deoxynucleoside. In certain such embodiments, each nucleoside of each wing isa modified nucleoside.

In certain embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide has a fully modifiedsugar motif wherein each nucleoside of the modified oligonucleotidecomprises a modified sugar moiety. In certain embodiments, modifiedoligonucleotides comprise or consist of a region having a fully modifiedsugar motif wherein each nucleoside of the region comprises a modifiedsugar moiety. In certain embodiments, modified oligonucleotides compriseor consist of a region having a fully modified sugar motif, wherein eachnucleoside within the fully modified region comprises the same modifiedsugar moiety, referred to herein as a uniformly modified sugar motif. Incertain embodiments, a fully modified oligonucleotide is a uniformlymodified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, each nucleoside of auniformly modified comprises the same 2′-modification.

2. Certain Nucleobase Motifs

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein compriseoligonucleotides. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotides comprisemodified and/or unmodified nucleobases arranged along theoligonucleotide or region thereof in a defined pattern or motif. Incertain embodiments, each nucleobase is modified. In certainembodiments, none of the nucleobases are modified. In certainembodiments, each purine or each pyrimidine is modified. In certainembodiments, each adenine is modified. In certain embodiments, eachguanine is modified. In certain embodiments, each thymine is modified.In certain embodiments, each uracil is modified. In certain embodiments,each cytosine is modified. In certain embodiments, some or all of thecytosine nucleobases in a modified oligonucleotide are5-methylcytosines.

In certain embodiments, modified oligonucleotides comprise a block ofmodified nucleobases. In certain such embodiments, the block is at the3′-end of the oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments the block iswithin 3 nucleosides of the 3′-end of the oligonucleotide. In certainembodiments, the block is at the 5′-end of the oligonucleotide. Incertain embodiments the block is within 3 nucleosides of the 5′-end ofthe oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, oligonucleotides having a gapmer motif comprisea nucleoside comprising a modified nucleobase. In certain suchembodiments, one nucleoside comprising a modified nucleobase is in thecentral gap of an oligonucleotide having a gapmer motif. In certain suchembodiments, the sugar moiety of said nucleoside is a 2′-deoxyribosylmoiety. In certain embodiments, the modified nucleobase is selectedfrom: a 2-thiopyrimidine and a 5-propynepyrimidine.

3. Certain Internucleoside Linkage Motifs

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein compriseoligonucleotides. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotides comprisemodified and/or unmodified internucleoside linkages arranged along theoligonucleotide or region thereof in a defined pattern or motif. Incertain embodiments, essentially each internucleoside linking group is aphosphate internucleoside linkage (P═O). In certain embodiments, eachinternucleoside linking group of a modified oligonucleotide is aphosphorothioate (P═S). In certain embodiments, each internucleosidelinking group of a modified oligonucleotide is independently selectedfrom a phosphorothioate and phosphate internucleoside linkage. Incertain embodiments, the sugar motif of a modified oligonucleotide is agapmer and the internucleoside linkages within the gap are all modified.In certain such embodiments, some or all of the internucleoside linkagesin the wings are unmodified phosphate linkages. In certain embodiments,the terminal internucleoside linkages are modified.

C. Certain Modified Oligonucleotides

In certain embodiments, compounds described herein comprise modifiedoligonucleotides. In certain embodiments, the above modifications(sugar, nucleobase, internucleoside linkage) are incorporated into amodified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, modifiedoligonucleotides are characterized by their modification, motifs, andoverall lengths. In certain embodiments, such parameters are eachindependent of one another. Thus, unless otherwise indicated, eachinternucleoside linkage of an oligonucleotide having a gapmer sugarmotif may be modified or unmodified and may or may not follow the gapmermodification pattern of the sugar modifications. For example, theinternucleoside linkages within the wing regions of a sugar gapmer maybe the same or different from one another and may be the same ordifferent from the internucleoside linkages of the gap region of thesugar motif. Likewise, such gapmer oligonucleotides may comprise one ormore modified nucleobase independent of the gapmer pattern of the sugarmodifications. Furthermore, in certain instances, an oligonucleotide isdescribed by an overall length or range and by lengths or length rangesof two or more regions (e.g., a regions of nucleosides having specifiedsugar modifications), in such circumstances it may be possible to selectnumbers for each range that result in an oligonucleotide having anoverall length falling outside the specified range. In suchcircumstances, both elements must be satisfied. For example, in certainembodiments, a modified oligonucleotide consists of 15-20 linkednucleosides and has a sugar motif consisting of three regions, A, B, andC, wherein region A consists of 2-6 linked nucleosides having aspecified sugar motif, region B consists of 6-10 linked nucleosideshaving a specified sugar motif, and region C consists of 2-6 linkednucleosides having a specified sugar motif. Such embodiments do notinclude modified oligonucleotides where A and C each consist of 6 linkednucleosides and B consists of 10 linked nucleosides (even though thosenumbers of nucleosides are permitted within the requirements for A, B,and C) because the overall length of such oligonucleotide is 22, whichexceeds the upper limit of the overall length of the modifiedoligonucleotide (20). Herein, if a description of an oligonucleotide issilent with respect to one or more parameter, such parameter is notlimited. Thus, a modified oligonucleotide described only as having agapmer sugar motif without further description may have any length,internucleoside linkage motif, and nucleobase motif. Unless otherwiseindicated, all modifications are independent of nucleobase sequence.

Compositions and Methods for Formulating Pharmaceutical Compositions

Compounds described herein may be admixed with pharmaceuticallyacceptable active or inert substances for the preparation ofpharmaceutical compositions or formulations. Compositions and methodsfor the formulation of pharmaceutical compositions are dependent upon anumber of criteria, including, but not limited to, route ofadministration, extent of disease, or dose to be administered.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides pharmaceuticalcompositions comprising one or more compounds or a salt thereof. Incertain embodiments, the compounds are antisense compounds or oligomericcompounds. In certain embodiments, the compounds comprise or consist ofa modified oligonucleotide. In certain such embodiments, thepharmaceutical composition comprises a suitable pharmaceuticallyacceptable diluent or carrier. In certain embodiments, a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprises a sterile saline solution and one or morecompound. In certain embodiments, such pharmaceutical compositionconsists of a sterile saline solution and one or more compound. Incertain embodiments, the sterile saline is pharmaceutical grade saline.In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition comprises one ormore compound and sterile water. In certain embodiments, apharmaceutical composition consists of one compound and sterile water.In certain embodiments, the sterile water is pharmaceutical grade water.In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition comprises one ormore compound and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). In certainembodiments, a pharmaceutical composition consists of one or morecompound and sterile PBS. In certain embodiments, the sterile PBS ispharmaceutical grade PBS. Compositions and methods for the formulationof pharmaceutical compositions are dependent upon a number of criteria,including, but not limited to, route of administration, extent ofdisease, or dose to be administered.

A compound described herein targeted to a GYS1 nucleic acid can beutilized in pharmaceutical compositions by combining the compound with asuitable pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier. In certainembodiments, a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent is water, such assterile water suitable for injection. Accordingly, in one embodiment,employed in the methods described herein is a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising a compound targeted to a GYS1 nucleic acid and apharmaceutically acceptable diluent. In certain embodiments, thepharmaceutically acceptable diluent is water. In certain embodiments,the compound comprises or consists of a modified oligonucleotideprovided herein.

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds provided hereinencompass any pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or salts ofsuch esters, or any other oligonucleotide which, upon administration toan animal, including a human, is capable of providing (directly orindirectly) the biologically active metabolite or residue thereof. Incertain embodiments, the compounds are antisense compounds or oligomericcompounds. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises or consists ofa modified oligonucleotide. Accordingly, for example, the disclosure isalso drawn to pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds, prodrugs,pharmaceutically acceptable salts of such prodrugs, and otherbioequivalents. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, butare not limited to, sodium and potassium salts.

A prodrug can include the incorporation of additional nucleosides at oneor both ends of a compound which are cleaved by endogenous nucleaseswithin the body, to form the active compound.

In certain embodiments, the compounds or compositions further comprise apharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

Advantages of Certain Embodiments

Provided herein, for the first time, are methods and compositions forthe modulation of a GYS1 nucleic acid that can treat, delay, preventand/or ameliorate Lafora disease, or a physiological marker thereof. Ina particular embodiment, for the first time, GYS1 inhibitors (e.g.,oligonucleotides targeting a nucleic acid encoding GYS1) are providedfor decreasing seizures, decreasing myoclonus or muscle spasms,alleviating difficulty in walking, reducing, preventing the onset of ortreating dementia, alleviating difficulties in speech, reducing orpreventing the onset of visual hallucinations, treating, reducing orpreventing the onset of progressive neurologic degeneration, reducingataxia, or a combination thereof in an animal.

EXAMPLES Non-Limiting Disclosure and Incorporation by Reference

While certain compounds, compositions and methods described herein havebeen described with specificity in accordance with certain embodiments,the following examples serve only to illustrate the compounds describedherein and are not intended to limit the same. Each of the referencesrecited in the present application is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

Example 1: Antisense Inhibition of Mouse GYS1 in B16-F10 Cells

Three hundred antisense oligonucleotides were screened in B16-F10 cells.The studies described below are a representative of these extensiveexperiments.

Antisense oligonucleotides were designed targeting a GYS1 nucleic acidand were tested for their effects on GYS1 mRNA in vitro. CulturedB16-F10 cells were transfected using electroporation with 7,000 nMantisense oligonucleotide. After a treatment period of approximately 24hours, RNA was isolated from the cells and GYS1 mRNA levels weremeasured by quantitative real-time PCR. Mouse primer probe set RTS4382(forward sequence TGATGAAGAGAGCCATCTTTGC, designated herein as SEQ IDNO: 7; reverse sequence AGGAGTCGTCCAGCATGTTGT, designated herein as SEQID NO: 8; probe sequence ACTCAGCGGCAGTCTTTCCCACCA, designated herein asSEQ ID NO: 9) was used to measure mRNA levels. GYS1 mRNA levels wereadjusted according to total RNA content, as measured by RIBOGREEN®.Results are presented as percent inhibition of GYS1, relative tountreated control cells.

The chimeric antisense oligonucleotides in the Table below were designedas 5-10-5 MOE gapmers. The gapmers are 20 nucleosides in length, whereinthe central gap segment comprises of ten 2′-deoxynucleosides and isflanked by wing segments on the 5′ direction and the 3′ directioncomprising five nucleosides each. Each nucleoside in the 5′ wing segmentand each nucleoside in the 3′ wing segment has a 2′-MOE modification.The internucleoside linkages throughout each gapmer are phosphorothioate(denoted herein as ‘s’) and phosphate ester linkages (denoted herein as‘o’). The linkage chemistry is denoted at ‘soooossssssssssooss’. Allcytosine residues throughout each gapmer are 5-methylcytosines.

“Start site” indicates the 5′-most nucleoside to which the gapmer istargeted in the mouse genomic sequence. “Stop site” indicates the3′-most nucleoside to which the gapmer is targeted mouse genomicsequence. Each gapmer listed in the Tables below is targeted to themouse GYS1 genomic sequence, designated herein as SEQ ID NO: 1 (RefSeqNo. NC_000073.6 truncated from nucleotides 45432001 to 45460000).

TABLE 1 Inhibition of mouse GYS1 mRNA by 5-10-5 MOEgapmers targeting SEQ ID NO: 1 SEQ SEQ ID ID NO: 1 NO: 1 % SEQ ISISStart Stop inhi- ID NO Site Site Sequence bition NO 648122  2870  2889CCGACTCAGGTAGGGTGAGC 58 10 648127  2963  2982 CTTGGTGACCGGTAGAGTTA 21 11648130  3042  3061 GAGAGGCATGGCTACTGCGG 68 12 648131  3047  3066CGGCTGAGAGGCATGGCTAC 45 13 648135  3083  3102 TCTTCCAATCCTGGAAGCGA  8 14648154  4596  4615 ATGGTCCCACCAGATAGTAG 78 15 648155  4601  4620CGTGTATGGTCCCACCAGAT 73 16 648194  8013  8032 AGGTGTTGAGCCTCGATTGC 45 17648222 12632 12651 TGACTGTATTGGCTGTGTCC 57 18 648223 12637 12656CTCCTTGACTGTATTGGCTG 57 19 648226 12658 12677 GTAGAGCTTCCTCCCAAATT 39 20648258 19754 19773 CCTCCGATCCAGAATGTAAA 24 21 648267 19884 19903ACTTCCAATCTAGCAAGTCC 28 22 648291 23125 23144 TCCCGTGGCTCTTCCTCATC 11 23648298 23240 23259 TGTGGAGGAGGAACAGGAGG  0 24 648299 23247 23266TGCCACCTGTGGAGGAGGAA 22 25 648302 23284 23303 CTGGAGGGCCCAGTGTCCAC 45 26648303 23289 23308 GTGAGCTGGAGGGCCCAGTG 32 27 648306 23406 23425CATAGGCCCTCTGCGAGAGG 52 28 648307 23411 23430 ATCTGCATAGGCCCTCTGCG 52 29648310 23426 23445 TTCAGGCACCCTCCCATCTG 53 30 648311 23447 23466ACTCAAGAGTCTGGAGTGGG 26 31 648314 23502 23521 GGCTGGAGTGTCTGAAACAG 64 32648315 23513 23532 TGGAGCTCAAGGGCTGGAGT 23 33 648318 23555 23574CCAAGAAAGGCACGGCGGCG 74 34 648319 23597 23616 CTGGAGACTCCAGATCAGTG 50 35648322 23638 23657 AAACAATGGCAGATGCCTGG 40 36 648323 23659 23678CCTAAAACCTCTGGCATTGA 42 37 648326 23683 23702 CCTGGAAGCCAATAAACCAG 64 38648327 23690 23709 GCCACAGCCTGGAAGCCAAT 76 39 648330 23774 23793GCCACACAGAATCCAACATG 80 40 648331 23781 23800 TCGGGAAGCCACACAGAATC 34 41648334 23813 23832 CCTGAAATGTCCTAACTCTG 49 42 648335 23819 23838TTAATCCCTGAAATGTCCTA 21 43 648338 23870 23889 AATCTGTCGACAGAGCTACT 72 44648339 23877 23896 GACAAGCAATCTGTCGACAG 79 45 648342 23940 23959TGTGTATCACCGCACCAGGT 65 46 648346 24097 24116 GAAATGGAGGACCGTGAGCA 62 47648347 24165 24184 TGCTCCTTTGAAGAACACAC 39 48 648350 24193 24212GCAGAAAGGTGTCTGGTCCA 75 49 648351 24196 24215 AAGGCAGAAAGGTGTCTGGT 30 50648354 24275 24294 TGACAGACATTCTGCCCTCA 65 51 648355 24298 24317AGTGGGCTGAGCACTTGTGG 39 52 648359 24330 24349 AGCCACTGGGACCCAGAACC 18 53648362 24408 24427 TTCAAGAAGCCGGTGGGCTC 45 54 648363 24437 24456GCAGAAAGGCCTCGAGGTAC 59 55 648371  3326  3345 CCCCCCAGGGCCTAGGACGC 65 56648375  3961  3980 ACAGCATTGAGTCTGCCATC 60 57 648382  5607  5626TGGCCTGACTGGATGCTGGA  7 58 648390  5778  5797 ATTGATCTAACTCTGTCCCA 32 59648394  6413  6432 ATCCTTGGATTAAAAGAGTG 42 60 648395  6775  6794GACCAAAACTCCCAGATTTC 51 61 648399  8063  8082 AGCCACATGTAGGGACCACA 49 62648402 10168 10187 CATGCTTCATTTCTTTATTG 81 63 648403 10380 10399GGCCCATGCTTCATTTCTTT 63 64 648406 11693 11712 TCAGAGATAGCCAGAGAGAG 51 65648407 12197 12216 CCCTACTGTCTCATGACTTA 39 66 648414 12895 12914GAGGCCTCAGCAAATGCCAG 29 67 648415 13163 13182 CCTCCAGCAATGTATTTTAA 35 68648418 14487 14506 AGGAATCAGAGGGTTCTGTG 50 69 648419 14886 14905AGCCCTCTCTTTTATGACAA 13 70 648422 16141 16160 ACAAGCTAAAGACTTAAACT 29 71648423 17471 17490 GATTTGCAAGTGACTCTCAA 69 72 648426 20057 20076TGGATTCCCTCTGTAGATCA 59 73 648427 20466 20485 TGTCTCTAGCTCTGACAACA 45 74648430 22024 22043 CCAGATGCTATTTCTAGATT 88 75 648431 22395 22414ACTGCTGGAGTCCCCAGCAA  3 76

Example 2: Dose-Dependent Antisense Inhibition of Mouse GYS1 in B16-F10Cells

Gapmers from Example 1 exhibiting significant in vitro inhibition ofGYS1 mRNA were selected and tested at various doses in B16-F10 cells.Cells were plated at a density of 20,000 cells per well and transfectedusing electroporation with 0.625 μM, 1.25 μM, 5.00 μM, and 10.0 μMconcentrations of antisense oligonucleotide. After a treatment period ofapproximately 16 hours, RNA was isolated from the cells and GYS1 mRNAlevels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Mouse primer probeset RTS4382 was used to measure mRNA levels. GYS1 mRNA levels wereadjusted according to total RNA content, as measured by RIBOGREEN®. Thehalf maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of each oligonucleotide ispresented. GYS1 mRNA levels were significantly reduced in adose-dependent manner in antisense oligonucleotide treated cells.

Two antisense oligonucleotides, ISIS 648327 and ISIS 648402 wereselected for further experimentation in vivo.

TABLE 2 Dose dependent inhibition by antisense oligonucleotidestargeting GYS1 625.0 1250.0 2500.0 5000.0 10000.0 IC₅₀ ISIS No nM nM nMnM nM (μM) 648339 19 38 58 77 93 1.9 648327 32 44 66 82 90 1.4 648155 1842 62 76 90 1.9 648423 12 26 38 64 70 3.6 648371 38 55 78 82 93 0.9648430 4 9 25 31 53 10.7 648402 53 42 62 84 89 0.9 648330 35 42 62 74 891.5 648154 21 32 55 69 83 2.3 648350 21 29 58 70 85 2.3

Example 3: Intracerebroventricular Administration of AntisenseOligonucleotides Against GYS1 mRNA

C57BL/6 mice were treated with ISIS oligonucleotides viaintracerebroventricular (ICV) administration to a defined mouse brainarea, the right lateral ventricle, for the purpose of evaluating theefficacy of ICV dosing in mice.

Treatment

Groups of four C57BL/6 mice each were administered ISIS 648154, ISIS648155, ISIS 648327, ISIS 648330, ISIS 648339, ISIS 648350, ISIS 648371,or ISIS 648402 at 300 μg delivered as an ICV bolus injection. A controlgroup of 4 mice were similarly treated with PBS. The animals wereeuthanized after 2 weeks.

RNA Analysis

RNA was extracted from the right hemisphere of the cortex, hippocampus,and the cerebellar sections for real-time PCR analysis of GYS-1 mRNAlevels. Murine GYS-1 mRNA levels were measured using the primer probeset RTS4382. Results were calculated as percent inhibition of murineGYS-1 mRNA expression compared to the control and are presented in theTable below. Of the antisense oligonucleotides tested, ISIS 648327 andISIS 648402 were utilized in further studies.

TABLE 3 Percent inhibition by antisense oligonucleotides targeting GYS1ISIS No Cortex Hippocampus Cerebellum 648154 0 7 24 648155 6 0 30 64832760 40 27 648330 21 21 33 648339 16 0 2 648350 24 12 10 648371 3 0 21648402 51 21 45

Example 4: Effect of Antisense Inhibition of GYS1 in Mice Models forLafora Disease

Mutations in the EPM2A gene, encoding a dual-specificity phosphatase(Laforin) or in the EPM2B gene, encoding ubiquitin E3 ligase malin,cause Lafora disease (LD). The phenotype of targeted disruption of theEpm2a or Epm2b murine genes is comparable to the phenotype of human LDresulting from the same genetic defect. Both Epm2a^(−/−) and Epm2b^(−/−)mice show altered motor activity, impaired motor coordination, episodicmemory deficit, and myoclonus (Garcia-Cabrero A. M. et al., 2012. J.Neuropathol. Exp. Neurol. 71: 413-421). Neurologic alterations observedin the mutants were comparable and correlated with the accumulation ofabundant Lafora bodies in the cerebral cortex, the hippocampus, thebasal ganglia, the cerebellum, and the brainstem, suggesting that theseinclusions could cause cognitive and behavioral deterioration. Thus,both Epm2a^(−/−) and Epm2b^(−/−) mice exhibit many pathologic aspectsseen in patients with Lafora disease and serve as mouse models for thedisease.

Epm2a^(−/−) Mice Treatment

The effects of antisense inhibition of GYS1 were investigated inEpm2a^(−/−) mice. The mice have been previously described (Pedersen, B.A. et al., Ann. Neurol. 74: 297-300, 2013; Turnball, J. et al., PLoSGenet. 7: e1002037 (2011). The mice were randomly divided into 4 groupsof 6 mice each. Two groups of mice were injectedintracerebroventricularly with 300 μg of ISIS 648327 or ISIS 648402 at 1month and 2 months of age. A third group of mice were injectedintracerebroventricularly with 300 μg of ISIS 676630(CCTATAGGACTATCCAGGAA, 5-10-5 MOE gapmer with phosphorothioate andphosphate internucleoside linkages and with no known murine target; SEQID NO: 77) at 1 month and 2 months of age.

A control group of mice was injected intracerebroventricularly with PBSat 1 month and 2 months of age. The mice were sacrificed at 3 months bycervical dislocation, one cerebral hemisphere was snap-frozen in liquidnitrogen for biochemical analysis; the other was immersed in formalinfor histopathology.

RNA Analysis

RNA was extracted from cerebral hemisphere of the mice for RT-PCRanalysis of murine GYS1 expression. The data was normalized to GAPDH.The results are presented in the Table below and demonstrate the in vivoinhibition of GYS1 by antisense oligonucleotide.

TABLE 4 In vivo inhibition (% of PBS control) of mouse GYS1 mRNA levels% Control oligo 23 ISIS 648327 76 ISIS 648402 84

Protein Analysis

Western blot analysis of murine GYS1 protein expression wasquantititated. The results are presented relative to the housekeepinggene, GAPDH, in the Table below and demonstrate the in vivo inhibitionof GYS1 protein levels by antisense oligonucleotide.

TABLE 5 Mouse GYS1 protein levels (% relative to GAPDH) % PBS 14 Controloligo 11 ISIS 648327 2 ISIS 648402 1

Glycogen Level Analysis

Lafora bodies were quantified by biochemical measurement of total brainglycogen, as previously described (Turball, J. et al. PLoS Genet. 7:e1002037, 2011). This mice model typically has two-fold increased brainglycogen at 3 months of age. The results are presented in the Tablebelow and demonstrate the effect of inhibition of GYS1 on brain glycogenlevels. The data indicates that brain glycogen levels were normalized byboth antisense oligonucleotides. Glycogen levels of wild-type mice arealso shown for comparison. The PBS and control oligonucleotide groupshave high glycogen content, representing the levels in Lafora disease.

TABLE 6 Brain glycogen levels (μmol/g tissue) PBS 8.7 Control oligo 7.8ISIS 648327 3.4 ISIS 648402 2.8 Wild-type 2.4

Lafora Bodies Analysis

Lafora bodies (LB) were visualized by staining diastase-pretreated brainsections with periodic acid-Schiff. In animals treated with ISIS 648327,LB were completely eliminated from all brain regions. In animals treatedwith ISIS 648402, LB were almost completely eliminated from all brainregions. The data thus demonstrates that antisense inhibition of GYS1significantly reduced or completely eliminated LB from the brain.

Epm2b^(−/−) Mice Treatment

The effects of antisense inhibition of GYS1 were investigated inEpm2b^(−/−) mice. The mice have been previously described (Pedersen, B.A. et al., Ann. Neurol. 74: 297-300, 2013; Turnball, J. et al., PLoSGenet. 7: e1002037 (2011). The mice were randomly divided into 3 groupsof 6 mice each. One group of mice was injected intracerebroventricularlywith 300 μg of ISIS 648327 at 1 month and 2 months of age. A secondgroup of mice were injected intracerebroventricularly with 300 μg ofISIS 676630 at 1 month and 2 months of age. A control group of mice wasinjected intracerebroventricularly with PBS at 1 month and 2 months ofage. The mice were sacrificed at 3 months by cervical dislocation, onecerebral hemisphere was span-frozen in liquid nitrogen for biochemicalanalysis; the other was immersed in formalin for histopathology.

RNA Analysis

RNA was extracted from cerebral hemisphere of the mice for RT-PCRanalysis of murine GYS1 expression. The data was normalized to GAPDH.The results are presented in the Table below and demonstrate the in vivoinhibition of GYS1 by antisense oligonucleotide.

TABLE 7 In vivo inhibition (% of PBS control) of mouse GYS1 mRNA levels% Control oligo 17 ISIS 648327 56

Protein Analysis

Western blot analysis of murine GYS1 protein expression wasquantititated. The results are presented relative to the housekeepinggene, GAPDH, in the Table below and demonstrate the in vivo inhibitionof GYS1 protein levels by antisense oligonucleotide.

TABLE 8 Mouse GYS1 protein levels (% relative to GAPDH) % PBS 42 Controloligo 34 ISIS 648327 6

Glycogen Level Analysis

Lafora bodies were quantified by biochemical measurement of total brainglycogen, as previously described (Turball, J. et al. PLoS Genet. 7:e1002037, 2011). The results are presented in the Table below anddemonstrate the effect of inhibition of GYS1 on brain glycogen levels.The data indicates that brain glycogen levels were normalized by bothantisense oligonucleotides. Glycogen levels of wild-type mice are alsoshown for comparison. As previously described in DePaoli-Roach et al (J.Biochem. 13: 25372-25381, 2010), the abnormal glycogen accumulation asnot as high in in Epm2b^(−/−) mice as in in Epm2a^(−/−) mice.

Example 5: Effect of Antisense Inhibition of GYS1 in Mice Models forAdult Polyglucosan Body Disease

The effects of antisense inhibition of GYS1 were investigated in APBDmice or Gbe1 Y329S mice. The mice have been previously described (Akman,O. H. et al., Hum. Mo. Genet. 24: 6801-6810, 2015). The mice wererandomly divided into 4 groups. Two groups of mice were injectedintracerebroventricularly with 300 μg of ISIS 648402 or ISIS 648327 at 1month and 2 months of age. A third group of mice were injectedintracerebroventricularly with 300 μg of control oligonucleotide ISIS676630 at 1 month and 2 months of age. Another group of mice wasinjected intracerebroventricularly with PBS at 1 month and 2 months ofage. The mice were sacrificed at 3 months by cervical dislocation, onecerebral hemisphere was span-frozen in liquid nitrogen for biochemicalanalysis; the other was immersed in formalin for histopathology.

RNA Analysis

RNA was extracted from cerebral hemisphere of the mice for RT-PCRanalysis of murine GYS1 expression. The data was normalized to GAPDH.The results are presented in the Table below and demonstrate the in vivoinhibition of GYS1 by antisense oligonucleotide.

TABLE 9 In vivo inhibition (% of PBS control) of mouse GYS1 mRNA levels% Control oligo 9 ISIS 648402 59 ISIS 648327 69

Protein Analysis

Western blot analysis of murine GYS1 protein expression wasquantititated. The results are presented relative to the housekeepinggene, GAPDH, in the Table below and demonstrate the in vivo inhibitionof GYS1 protein levels by antisense oligonucleotide.

TABLE 10 Mouse GYS1 protein levels (% relative to GAPDH) % PBS 10.0Control oligo 16.0 ISIS 648402 0.8 ISIS 648327 3.1

Glycogen Level Analysis

Lafora bodies were quantified by biochemical measurement of total brainglycogen, as previously described (Turball, J. et al. PLoS Genet. 7:e1002037, 2011). The results are presented in the Table below anddemonstrate the effect of inhibition of GYS1 on brain glycogen levels.

TABLE 11 Brain glycogen levels (μmol/g tissue) PBS 1.5 Control oligo 1.6ISIS 648402 1.1 ISIS 648327 0.8

Example 6: Effect of Antisense Inhibition of GYS1 in the Treatment of aGlycogen Storage Disease

The effects of antisense inhibition of GYS1 were investigated in agedEMP2A (Laforin) knockout mice. Lafora bodies begin to appear in thebrain by two months, behavioral abnormalities are detected at 4 months,and by 9 months, the animals have myoclonic seizures, ataxia, and EEGactivity (Wang W. et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 457: 264, 2007).

Eight months old Epm2a^(−/−) mice were randomly divided into 3 groups.Two groups of mice were injected intracerebroventricularly with 300 μgof ISIS 648402 or the control oligonucleotide at 8 months, 9.5 months,11 months, and 12.5 months of age. Another group of mice was injectedintracerebroventricularly with PBS at 8 months, 9.5 months, 11 months,and 12.5 months of age. The mice were sacrificed at 14 months bycervical dislocation, one cerebral hemisphere was span-frozen in liquidnitrogen for biochemical analysis; the other was immersed in formalinfor histopathology.

RNA Analysis

RNA was extracted from cerebral hemisphere of the mice for RT-PCRanalysis of murine GYS1 expression. The data was normalized to GAPDH.The results are presented in the Table below and demonstrate the in vivoinhibition of GYS1 by antisense oligonucleotide.

TABLE 12 In vivo inhibition (% of PBS control) of mouse GYS1 mRNA levels% Control oligo 0 ISIS 648327 54

Protein Analysis

Western blot analysis of murine GYS1 protein expression wasquantititated. The results are presented relative to the housekeepinggene, GAPDH, in the Table below and demonstrate the in vivo inhibitionof GYS1 protein levels by antisense oligonucleotide.

TABLE 13 Mouse GYS1 protein levels (relative to GAPDH) % Untreated miceat 8 months 22.1 Control oligo-treated mice at 13.2 14 months ISIS648327-treated mice at 0.50 14 months

Glycogen Level Analysis

Total brain glycogen levels and Lafora bodies quantification in thehippocampus were measured. Brain tissue of mice at 8 months showsglycogen levels and accumulation of Lafora bodies in the hippocampus,implying a robust phenotype of glycogen storage disease in these mice atthat age. The results are presented in the Tables below and demonstratethe effect of inhibition of GYS1 and the significant reduction in Laforabodies in the hippocampus.

TABLE 14 Lafora bodies in hippocampus (%) Untreated mice at 8 7.02months Control oligo-treated 8.04 mice at 14 months ISIS 648327-treated2.67 mice at 14 months

TABLE 15 Brain glycogen levels (μmol/g tissue) Untreated mice at 8 5.9months Control oligo-treated 7.5 mice at 14 months ISIS 648327-treated3.5 mice at 14 months

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising administering a GYS1-specificinhibitor to an individual.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theindividual has, or is at risk of having a glycogen storage disease ordisorder.
 3. A method of treating, preventing, delaying the onset,slowing the progression, or ameliorating glycogen storage disease in anindividual having, or at risk of having, glycogen storage disease ordisorder comprising administering a compound comprising a GYS1-specificinhibitor to the individual, thereby treating, preventing, delaying theonset, slowing the progression, or ameliorating a glycogen storagedisease or disorder in the individual.
 4. The method of claim 2 or claim3, wherein the glycogen storage disease or disorder is Lafora disease.5. The method of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the glycogen storagedisease or disorder is adult polyglucosan body disease.
 6. The method ofclaim 2 or claim 3, wherein the glycogen storage disease or disorder isPompe disease.
 7. The method of any one of claims 2-6, whereinadministering the GYS1-specific inhibitor reduces seizures in theindividual.
 8. The method of any one of claims 2-6, whereinadministering the GYS1-specific inhibitor reduces muscle spasms in theindividual.
 9. The method of any one of claims 2-6, whereinadministering the GYS1-specific inhibitor reduces, treats or preventsthe onset of dementia in the individual.
 10. The method of any one ofclaims 2-6, wherein administering the GYS1-specific inhibitor alleviatesdifficulty in walking in the individual.
 11. The method of any one ofclaims 2-6, wherein administering the GYS1-specific inhibitor alleviatesdifficulty in speech in the individual.
 12. The method of any one ofclaims 2-6, wherein administering the GYS1-specific inhibitor reducesvisual hallucinations in the individual.
 13. The method of any one ofclaims 2-6, wherein administering the GYS1-specific inhibitor reduces,treats or prevents the onset of progressive neurologic degeneration inthe individual.
 14. The method of any one of claims 2-6, whereinadministering the GYS1-specific inhibitor prevents or reducespolyglucosan bodies in a cell in the individual.
 15. The method of anyone of claims 2-6, wherein administering the GYS1-specific inhibitorprevents or reduces lafora bodies in a cell in the individual.
 16. Themethod of any one of claims 2-6, wherein administering the GYS1-specificinhibitor prevents or reduces glycogen accumulation in a cell in theindividual.
 17. The method of any one of claims 2-6, whereinadministering the GYS1-specific inhibitor prevents of reduces cognitivedeterioration in the individual.
 18. The method of any one of claims2-6, wherein administering the GYS1-specific inhibitor reduces ataxia inthe individual.
 19. The method of any preceding claim, wherein theGYS1-specific inhibitor inhibits expression of GYS1 in the individual.20. The method of any preceding claim wherein the individual is human.21. A method of inhibiting expression or activity of GYS1 in a cell,comprising contacting the cell with a compound comprising aGYS1-specific inhibitor, thereby inhibiting expression or activity ofGYS1 in the cell.
 22. The method of any one of claim 14-16 or 21,wherein the cell is a neuron.
 23. The method of any one of claim 14-16or 21, wherein the cell is a skeletal muscle cell.
 24. The method of anyone of claim 14-16 or 21, wherein the cell is a hepatocyte.
 25. Themethod of any one of claim 14-16 or 21, wherein the cell is a cardiacmuscle cell.
 26. The method of any one of claim 14-16 or 21, wherein thecell is in an individual.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein theindividual has or is at risk of having Lafora disease, adultpolyglucosan body disease, or Pompe disease.
 28. The method of anypreceding claim, wherein the GYS1-specific inhibitor selected from anyof a nucleic acid, a polypeptide, an antibody, and a small molecule. 29.The method of any preceding claim, wherein the compound comprising amodified oligonucleotide targeting GYS1.
 30. The method of claim 29,wherein the compound is single-stranded.
 31. The method of claim 29,wherein the compound is double-stranded.
 32. The method of any one ofclaims 29-31, wherein the modified oligonucleotide consists of 12 to 30linked nucleosides.
 33. The method of any one of claims 29-32, whereinthe modified oligonucleotide comprises at least one modifiedinternucleoside linkage, at least one modified sugar moiety or at leastone modified nucleobase.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the atleast one modified internucleoside linkage of the modifiedoligonucleotide is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage, the atleast one modified sugar is a bicyclic sugar or 2′-O-methyoxyethyl andthe at least one modified nucleobase is a 5-methylcytosine.
 35. Themethod of claim 33 or claim 34, wherein at least one modified sugarcomprises a 4′-CH(CH₃)—O-2′ bridge or a 4′-(CH₂)_(n)—O-2′ bridge,wherein n is 1 or
 2. 36. The method of any of claims 33-35, wherein eachcytosine is a 5-methylcytosine.
 37. The method of any one of claims33-36, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a gap segmentconsisting of linked deoxynucleosides; a 5′ wing segment consisting oflinked nucleosides; a 3′ wing segment consisting linked nucleosides;wherein the gap segment is positioned immediately adjacent to andbetween the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment and wherein eachnucleoside of each wing segment comprises a modified sugar.
 38. Themethod of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compound isadministered parenterally.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein thecompound is administered parenterally by subcutaneous, intravenous,intrathecal or intracerebroventricular administration.
 40. The method ofany of the preceding claims, comprising co-administering the compoundand at least one additional therapy.
 41. The method of claim 40, whereinthe compound and the additional therapy are administered concomitantly.42. The method of claim 40, wherein the compound and the additionaltherapy are administered consecutively.
 43. Use of a compound comprisinga GYS1-specific inhibitor for the manufacture or preparation of amedicament for administering to an individual.
 44. The use of thecompound of claim 43, wherein the individual has, or is at risk ofhaving, a glycogen storage disease or disorder.
 45. Use of a compoundcomprising a GYS1-specific inhibitor for the manufacture or preparationof a medicament for treating a glycogen storage disease or disorder inan individual.
 46. Use of a compound comprising a GYS1-specificinhibitor for the treatment of a glycogen storage disease or disorder inan individual.
 47. The use of any of claims 43-46, wherein the glycogenstorage disease or disorder is Lafora disease, adult polyglucosan bodydisease, or Pompe disease.
 48. The use of any one of claims 43-47,wherein the compound is capable of reducing seizures in the individual.49. The use of any one of claims 43-47, wherein the compound is capableof reducing muscle spasms in the individual.
 50. The use of any one ofclaims 43-47, wherein the compound is capable of reducing, treating orpreventing the onset of dementia in the individual.
 51. The use of anyone of claims 43-47, wherein the compound is capable of alleviatingdifficulty in walking in the individual.
 52. The use of any one ofclaims 43-47, wherein the compound is capable of alleviating difficultyin speech in the individual.
 53. The use of any one of claims 43-47,wherein the compound is capable of reducing visual hallucinations in theindividual.
 54. The use of any one of claims 43-47, wherein the compoundis capable of reducing, treating or preventing the onset of progressiveneurologic degeneration in the individual.
 55. The use of any one ofclaims 43-47, wherein the compound is capable of reducing ataxia in theindividual.
 56. The use of any one of claims 43-55, wherein theGYS1-specific inhibitor is selected from a nucleic acid, a polypeptide,an antibody, and a small molecule.
 57. The use of any one of claims43-56, wherein the compound comprising a modified oligonucleotidetargeted to GYS1.
 58. The use of claim 57, wherein the compound issingle-stranded.
 59. The use of claim 57, wherein the compound isdouble-stranded
 60. The use of any one of claims 57-59, wherein themodified oligonucleotide consists of 12 to 30 linked nucleosides. 61.The use of any one of claims 57-60, wherein the modified oligonucleotidecomprises at least one modified internucleoside linkage, at least onemodified sugar moiety or at least one modified nucleobase.
 62. The useof claim 61, wherein the at least one modified internucleoside linkageof the modified oligonucleotide is a phosphorothioate internucleosidelinkage, the at least one modified sugar is a bicyclic sugar or2′-O-methyoxyethyl and the at least one modified nucleobase is a5-methylcytosine.
 63. The use of claim 61 or claim 62, wherein at leastone modified sugar comprises a 4′-CH(CH₃)—O-2′ bridge or a4′-(CH₂)_(n)—O-2′ bridge, wherein n is 1 or
 2. 64. The use of any one ofclaims 57-63, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: a gapsegment consisting of linked deoxynucleosides; a 5′ wing segmentconsisting of linked nucleosides; a 3′ wing segment consisting linkednucleosides; wherein the gap segment is positioned immediately adjacentto and between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment and whereineach nucleoside of each wing segment comprises a modified sugar.